Archive for the ‘BLOG’ Category

Getting an Annual Home Heating Inspection is So Important

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

If your furnace or water heater is a gas-burning appliance, HVAC experts recommend that you have it inspected by a licensed and certified heating contractor each and every year. Why is this so important? The fact is that over 80 people die in their homes on an annual basis due to excess levels of carbon monoxide generated by faulty furnaces and water heaters.

What is Carbon Monoxide and why is it Dangerous?

CO is a colorless, tasteless gas that is undetectable without specialized equipment or detectors. Most people keep their windows closed during the cold winter months, and too much CO trapped in unventilated areas can quickly lead to symptoms such as:

–Persistent and severe headaches that may affect many family members at once

–A general feeling of weakness, coupled with nausea and vomiting

–Symptoms that lessen markedly when afflicted person exits a house or lets in fresh air

Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely serious: it exerts its influence exceedingly fast and may result in serious injury and death before anyone is aware something is wrong. This is why many victims are killed as they sleep.

What is Involved in a Yearly Heater Inspection?

Only have a reputable, licensed, and certified heating contractor in your state handle your yearly inspections: they will have the credentials, experience, and know-how to look for certain problems and correct them if necessary. An inspection should include:

–Inspecting the inside and outside of a vent pipe as well as the stack

–Checking safety controls for the exhaust system as well as all other safety controls

–Inspect and service the heat exchanger

–Cleaning fan wheels and ensuring they are in proper working order

–Replacing air filter for forced-air systems

Getting a yearly heater inspection makes good common sense: it’s also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector in your furnace room as well as near the family’s living quarters.

Carolyn Ethington

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Buying a Used Car? Remember to Check the MOT Certificate

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

When investing in a car, it is important to look at the cars past MOT certificates, so you know what you are actually buying. It will help you understand what condition the car is currently in and whether the car’s state has altered over time. However, if the car is under three years old, no past MOT certificates will be available, since a car needs only to be tested every year from its third year. Remember, when buying a used car to immediately ask for the current MOT certificate from the seller, otherwise it might not be roadworthy.

The past MOT certificates will demonstrate that the car has met environmental and road safety standards, however, it does not mean that the vehicle is safe and roadworthy for the full year the certificate is valid. It is only a confirmation of the fact that vehicle is roadworthy at that time. Hence, changes to the car can occur after the test for that year are completed, so its very important that the used car is checked out for any damages at the point of sale. Neither does the test check the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, so it may be also of great importance to have these checked out. The MOT test will, however, examine:

1.The condition of the body and vehicle structure;

2.The fuel system;

3.The exhaust system;

4.Lights, doors, mirrors, the load security and the bonnet;

5.Brakes, tyres and wheels;

6.Wipers and washers and the windscreen;

7.Steering and suspension, the horn, seat belts and the seats.

8.The MOT test will also analyse the car’s fuel emissions, as well as inspect the registration plate and the car’s Vehicle Identification Number.

When looking at past MOT tests, it’s important to look for dramatic changes from year to year. A good way to discover any alterations to the car’s state is to check that MOT mileage records are in line with service records and to ensure that the mileage has increased at a consistent rate each year.

It’s always best to ask the seller for the certificate; however, if the seller can not provide the current certificate at the present time, it might be best to check online before you buy. All you need to provide is the test number from the MOT certificate and the document reference number from the registration certificate (V5C). If you are looking for the car’s MOT history, then a quick ring to VOSA will give you all the information you need, including the list of repairs recommended at the point of MOT.

A quick look at past MOT certificate will enable you to make a valid judgment on the performance of the car. However, if you are still worried about deterioration since the last MOT, it’s a good idea to have the car checked over either before or after purchase. If the MOT is soon to run out after purchase, then make an appointment with you local test centre immediately.

If you are looking for an MOT test in Coventry, then try: http://www.binleywoodsservicecentre.co.uk.

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Car Exhausts – A Vital System For Your Car

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Your car’s exhaust system dissipates the gases released by the engine. They can be potentially harmful to drivers, bystanders, and the environment if they’re not properly dealt with. Understanding how car exhausts work, one should know how each individual component contributes to the system as a whole.

The air pump pumps compressed air into the exhaust manifold. Driven by a belt that is connected to the engine, the air pump allows the oxygen pumped along with the compressed air to aid in burning unburned fuel left on other parts of the engine, which converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

The exhaust manifold, which was mentioned above, is attached to the cylinder head and leads the car exhausts gases created by the engine from combustion chamber to the exhaust pipe at the end of the car. The exhaust manifold can be found under the intake manifold. They’re made of cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum.

Catalytic converters are installed in the exhaust line between the mufflers and exhaust manifold. It converts the gas emissions like carbon monoxide into the less dangerous form carbon dioxide and water. It basically lessens the pollution caused by the car. The converter is lined with chemicals that change these harmful substances into harmless ones before they leave the car.

The muffler is made of metal and easily the most recognizable part of the car exhausts system. It is connected to the under body of the car, and its main function is to reduce the noise of the exhausts system.

The engine combustion process creates gas emissions. A lot of noise is generated when gases leave the engine. There’s also a great deal of noise created by the opening and closing of the car exhausts valves. The muffler converts that sound energy and extreme pressure into heat, dissipating the sound waves’ energy.

The first type of mufflers will bounce the gas around to lower its energy with baffles, while others have pipes wrapped in specific metals that absorb the noise.

The final component of the car exhausts system is the tail pipe. It’s the part the sticks out of the back or your car, and is attached to the muffler. It releases the gases that have passed through the rest of the system and into the environment.

Modern cars often include oxygen sensors as part of their car exhausts because optimal performance depends on an exact proportion of fuel mixed with oxygen. Hopefully understanding the individual parts of the car exhausts system will help you in purchasing a car and also help you understand the steps taken by manufacturers to curb pollution and maximize performance.

Andy’s Auto Sport Car Exhausts: The leading resource for Quality Car Exhausts. For expert Advice, Tips, and Quality parts, it’s all here.

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