Programmable Thermostats

Get With the Program, And Watch your Energy Savings Grow.

Install a programmable thermostat and by setting the temperature back by 10 degrees for eight hours every night will lower your heating bills by 10%. A digital thermostat can pay for itself in less than a year.

Set your thermostat at 68 degrees during winter days, and 78 degrees in summer.

The whole point of a programmable thermostat is to keep your home nice and cozy when you’re in, and not waste energy when you’re out.

With more than one programmable thermostat, you can save even more money by keeping comfortable temperatures only in the rooms where you spend time.

What’s more:

• Programmable thermostats allow you to program and pre-set separate temperatures for the various seasons of the year;

• They can also be set to coincide with your daily living, working, and sleeping schedules.


These are the settings most models include:

• The ability to program your thermostat one day at a time;

• With weekday/weekend programming, you can set one set of temperature control for weekdays, and another for Saturdays and Sunday;

• Or, you can have one fixed schedule for the five weekdays, a separate schedule for Saturdays, and a separate schedule again for Sundays;

• Full seven-day programming that permits a different setback schedule for each day of the week.

Now that’s a lot of flexibility. Depending on the manufacturer and model, here are other available settings:

• Vacation Override, which allows temporary override of the programmed settings;

• Keyboard Lock, which prevents unauthorized changes to the preprogrammed settings;

• Low battery indicator;

• An Energy Monitor that can keep track of how many hours the HVAC system has run for any selected time period;

• An Auto Season Changeover that automatically provides heat or cool air once the seasons change;

• A Filter Change Indicator.

What are the bottom line benefits to you? Now these you’re going to like:

• Greater accuracy for improved indoor comfort;

• They contain no mercury;

• When used properly, you’ll save $100 or more each year on your energy bill.

And that’s as bottom line as it gets!

So for improved indoor comfort and increased energy savings, call Rapid Service LLC to help you start saving money and the environment, today.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Just one more way we’re able to assist you…“Around the House.”

Wiring a Pool or Hot Tub is No Day at the Beach

Pool and hot tub wiring presents unique challenges that require more than a little bit of wiring experience. In short, this is no job for amateurs.

Common sense dictates that the most dangerous wiring jobs are those that involve water…two elements that definitely do not play nice together…at least not without constant supervision.

There are very specific rules, for example, on how close wiring may be placed to water, and where GFI (ground fault interrupters) outlets are required. GFIs protect against shock by interrupting electrical current caused by a ground fault.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Red Cross, there have been 60 deaths and nearly 50 serious shocks reported over the past several years involving electrical hazards in and around swimming pools and hot tubs.

And the usual culprits are as follows:

• faulty underwater lighting;
• aging electrical wiring that hasn't been inspected in years;
• ungrounded sump pumps, power washers, and vacuums;

• electrical appliances (such as radios and TVs) and extension cords falling or being pulled into the water;
• the absence of GFIs.

"The best protection for families is inspection, detection, and correction of electrical hazards in and around swimming pools, hot tubs and spas," says CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton.

If you already have a pool or spa, here are several safety measures you can implement right away:

• Know where all the electrical switches and circuit breakers for pool equipment and lights are located and how to turn them off in an emergency.
• Ensure that all electrical wires and junction boxes are at least five feet away from water.
• Test GFIs monthly to assure continued protection.
• Post an emergency plan within clear view of those using the pool.
• Ensure that overhead power lines and junction boxes are safely positioned away from the pool or spa.

At Rapid Service LLC, we’re always available to assist you on any electrical matter, especially where your family’s safety is concerned. At the same time, we’re always happy to help good customers like you save money.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Just one more way we’re able to assist you…“Around the House.”

The 10 Most Common Household Repairs

The 10 Most Common Household Repairs

"Old reliable" churns away in your basement or utility room day after day, month after month, year after year like a farm mule in days of yore. Except this one doesn't eat as much - nor do you have those ugly, malodorous piles laying all around the place!

Except every once in awhile, like a cantankerous old mule, the modern water heater doesn't do what it's supposed to do. That's when you call a plumbing contractor saying "no hot water."


This is the top reason why people call a plumbing or heating contractor, according to a survey taken a few years ago by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau (PHCIB) in Chicago. A related problem, a leaking water heater, came in at number 5 out of the top 10.


Looking over the list, I can't help but shake my head at all the waste of time and money these emergency service calls represent. Most people don't pay much attention to their household "mule team" - the mechanical systems that provide so much comfort and convenience in our modern lives. We take for granted our water heaters, toilets, faucets, furnaces and air conditioners, until they stop working. Then comes the panicked call to the service company, and a repair job that always ends up costing more than we expect.

Regular care and maintenance can forestall most of these breakdowns at a fraction of the cost of repairs. Have your plumbing, heating and air conditioning inspected, cleaned and checked at least once a year. Progressive service companies offer service agreements in which they automatically come out to take care of these things for a modest annual fee.

Homeowners also should consider replacing ancient water heaters, toilets, furnaces, boilers and other appliances with new high-efficiency or water-saving models. Most of us are in the habit of squeezing out every last day of service out of such equipment. Yet any unit more than 12-15 years old probably can pay for itself within a few years through reduced energy or water usage.

Here are the rest of the top 10 household repairs identified by the PHCIB.

#2 - Clogged drains. Many of these calls could be avoided by taking greater care in what you put down drains - especially the kitchen sink drain, the most used and most clogged drain in the house. I also recommend regular treatment with Bio-Clean, a biological drain cleaner sold only through plumbing contractors and available at Rapid Service LLC



#3 - Dripping faucets. This is an annoyance that most homeowners have to deal with from time to time as the washers in the faucets wear out with use. You can extend the life of your faucet washers by not turning them off with too much force.

You may also consider replacing your older faucets with those that feature washerless valve cartridges instead of rubber washers. Since the valve mechanism is contained in one cartridge, these faucets are easier to repair and replace. In addition, cartridges are generally more durable and do not leak because they do not deteriorate with friction or age as washers do.


#4 - Leaking pipes. In extreme cases, these can cause expensive damage to floors and belongings. To stop a small leak from turning into a big one, take a look at your pipes periodically to check for rust or white lime deposits that may indicate a leak is starting.





#5 - Leaking water heaters. Most often when you have a leaker, it's time to get rid of the water heater. Usually leaks indicate rusting through at the bottom of the storage tank, for which there is no good repair. By the time this happens, the water heater is usually so old you'd benefit from replacing it with a more energy-efficient model anyway.



#6 - No heat. When your furnace or boiler stops operating, it can make for a long, cold winter night. An ounce of prevention here is worth of ton of cure. It's important to make sure your heating system is functioning properly before the first cold snap hits. Have a competent contractor do a thorough examination and cleaning in late summer or early fall every year.

#7-8 - Running & leaking toilets. This is not only an annoyance, but a waste of water and money. Leaky toilets can cost you upwards of $100 a year on your water bills. If you hear a low humming noise, or if the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order. Sometimes a little jiggling of the ballcock or flush valve mechanism solves the problem with cost. Otherwise you may need to replace the entire mechanism.

#9 - New faucet installation. Many homeowners replace faucets not only when they break down, but for decorative reasons as well. This is the ninth most common reason for a service call, according to the PHCIB.

A few people buy a faucet from a home center and then call a plumbing firm to do the installation. This is okay, but be forewarned that in doing so, the plumbing firm will warrant only its workmanship, not the faucet itself.

#10 - Malfunctioning food waste disposer. This can be a messy headache for homeowners. Here are several tips to keep your unit in good working order. First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.

Almost all bio-degradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, corn husks or other material with a high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.

Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and egg shells actually helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits and get rid of odors. For the most part, though, disposers are self-cleaning.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Just one more way we’re able to assist you…“Around the House.”

Emergency Shut Off

When Disaster Strikes, Here’s How to Strike Back

By observing a few simple emergency shut-off procedures, you can help protect your and your family during a natural disaster.

When Mother Nature comes calling with anything other than sweet sunshine and balmy temperatures, you have cause for concern. Especially when “she” decides to send the extreme stuff, like an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and other such pleasantries.

So what’s a homeowner to do? Well, as your preferred plumbing resource, Rapid Service would like to offer a few ideas on how, when and why to turn off your main water and power supplies.

Water Shut-Off Procedures

Following a natural disaster, conduct a visual inspection for leaks in your various plumbing systems. Also, check your water supply lines by turning water faucets on and off. If the cold water stops running, runs very slowly after a few seconds, or is dirty, you most likely have a leak.

In that event, you’ll want to shut off your main water supply. There are two basic means:

· Turn off the water where it enters the house…in many homes, there’s a valve just below your main outdoor faucet;
· Or, you can shut down your water supply by turning the valve attached to your water meter.

Water valves either have round or lever-type handles. With a lever, you only have to make a one-quarter turn to shut off your water. Round handles are typically harder to turn, so you may have to give it a few tries. To turn off your water, turn the handle clockwise. And if you don’t have a main water shut off, you should have one installed.

Power Shut-Off Procedures

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, do not turn lights on or off or use matches if you have gas heat! Instead, use flashlights to check for gas leaks to prevent an explosion or fire. If you do hear or smell a leak, shut off your gas valve and immediately open your doors and windows to vent the accumulated gas.



Also, if you hear sparking sounds or see or smell smoke, then you need to turn off your electrical power. If your house has fuses, you’ll find a knife switch or pull-out fuse that should be marked “Main.” If you have a circuit breaker, turn off the small breakers first, and then the “Main” breaker. But whatever you do, never remove the metal cover.

Want to Know More?

For more information on how to protect your home following a natural disaster, call us today.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Rapid Service LLC. We’re great to have: “Around the House.”

Switching to Circuit Breakers

There’s Life in the Old Fuse Box Yet.
However…


…is it still giving you all the electrical power you need? Here’s a look at why it might be time to switch from a fuse box to a circuit breaker panel.

For starters, fuses and circuit breakers are designed for the exact same purpose: to help prevent electrical fires caused by an excess of current running through a circuit.

Fuses stop the excess flow of electricity in its tracks, and then have to be replaced. Conversely, too much electrical current causes a circuit breaker to shut off automatically. Then, all you have to do is pull a lever, and on again comes the power.

So is that it? As in, is there no other advantage to a circuit breaker than the relative convenience of switching power back on vs. buying and replacing a fuse? The answer is a simple “no.” There are, in fact, additional reasons why you might want to consider upgrading to a circuit breaker system, no matter how long that old fuse box has safely and surely served your household power demands.

To make the best possible decision, start by taking a fresh look at your fuse box, especially if you’ve recently purchased your home. If your home has 60 amp power or less, and all you see are 30 or 20 amp fuses, chances are the original fuses were blowing frequently, and the previous owners opted to replace them with heavier fuses than are recommended or safe. There’s a case where you definitely need to upgrade to a circuit breaker system.

What’s more, circuit breakers offer double the protection of fuses. A fuse receiving too much power is designed to blow, thereby shutting down the current. But a breaker is designed to trip, and if that fails, there’s a "fuse-like" strip inside that will burn out.

Finally, fuse box systems were not designed to provide adequate power for today’s high tech home environment, especially larger homes with every kind of electronic gadget known to man. There are four basic types of circuit breaker installations, all of which provide a steadier and more reliable flow of power for your family’s growing needs. The first two are used for 220-volt service. One is double width and provides two wire connections. The other looks like a normal 110-volt breaker, although it’s actually two 110-volt breakers in one system with a connector so both wires are tripped together. The other two types are for 110V.

Bottom line, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your current electrical system, there are many possible solutions. Which one is right for you? That’s what the professionals at Rapid Service are here to answer.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with us…“Around the House.”

Hard Water

“All water is not created equal.”

Here’s some information on a common water problem that exists in 85% of the households in the United States. What to look for and how to make it go away.

There are plenty of problems commonly associated with well and city water supplies. Too many to properly address in this issue of “Around the House.” Instead, we will focus on the most common water problem our customers currently face: Hard Water.

What is hard water? Water is considered hard if it contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. If you’ve ever seen drinking glasses washed in hard water, you’ve probably noticed the milky haze that won’t rinse away. Or you’ve seen the whitish scale deposits on your faucets, shower doors or tea kettle. That’s because hard water reacts with soap and causes scale to form on all surfaces in contact with the water. What’s worse is the damage the hard water can inflict by causing scale to build up inside pipes, faucets and appliances such as water heaters, washing machines and dish washers.

The problems caused by hard water are not limited to plumbing and appliances. Hard water affects laundry with increased detergent use, faster fading of colors or yellowing of whites and shortened fabric life. Bathing and showering in hard water will dry out and dull skin and hair.

The waste hard water creates each year cost many hundreds of dollars in appliance and plumbing repairs, extra laundry detergent, fabric softeners, fabrics that lose their usefulness, household cleansers, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, etc…

But now, Rapid Service can help rid of your home of hard water problems with a brand new and highly effective water softener. New technology has made today’s water softeners more efficient and compact than their predecessors. They require little if any maintenance and provide many years of dependable service. In fact, a water softener will pay for itself many times over with all the savings it will generate. One of the immediate benefits you will notice is how soft and smooth your skin and hair will feel. Once you live with soft water you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

“Around the House,” it’s just one more way Rapid Service can help.

Child Safety

A Few Words About Child Safety!

There are many ways to protect your children from electric shock…some obvious, and some not so obvious. We hope the following information helps.

The proper and safe use of electricity is indispensable to our daily lives. But the truth is, an electric shock CAN KILL YOU. And a small flow of electricity is enough to stop your heart.

Adults have the good sense and knowledge to take all necessary precautions. For our children, we need to be especially cautious.

So if you have young ones around the house, a good place to start is with electric outlet covers….before your children start to explore them with outreached hands!

Here’s a list of additional safety precautions we hope you find useful…from the professionals at Rapid Service:

· Teach older children to pull out a plug by the plug, not the cord;

· Teach all children that power tools are not toys;

· Unplug seldom used appliances when not in use;

· Always use a transformer when using electric cords outside;

· Never remove the third grounding prong from electrical plugs;

· Ensure your home has a current electrical safety Certificate of Compliance;

· Replace any damaged or frayed cords;

· Don't run power cords under carpeting;

· Extension cords should be heavy enough to handle an appliance;


· Teach your child to wait until a light bulb is cool before touching it;



· Teach your child not to touch any appliance with wet hands.

As you look for ways to childproof your house, how about calling Rapid Service for an in-home electrical safety inspection! You’ll sleep better at night knowing your home and your children are as safe as can be.

Visit our website at rapidservicellc.com for a $25 coupon that can be used toward any repair work or new installation.

Just one more way we’re able to assist you “Around the House.”