What to Know when Hiring a Repair Service to Fix Your Air Conditioning Units in Ashburn

Properly working air conditioners are essential in both your home and work environments. This is especially a necessity if you’re in a place where summers are uncomfortably hot. No one can deny how hard it is to work or even sleep when the cooling system starts malfunctioning.

Physical discomfort is not the only thing that can result from a faulty AC unit. While the unit gives off far less cooling, it tends to consume way more energy. The energy bill can still go off the charts even if you’re not getting the most out of your AC. That’s why it’s important to conduct regular maintenance so you can avoid spending more money than you have to.

To ensure that you get the best repair service available, here’s what you need to consider:

Service Quotation

Carefully check out at least three price estimates and see if these company’s pricings make sense. Watch out for technicians that offer “too good to be true” deals. Their prices tend to be very cheap to get a quick buck from those who are too lazy to do their research. Oftentimes these service providers don’t have the skills and competency to get the job done properly. Thus, you’d most likely need to contact another service provider to get your AC fixed for good.

Licensing or Certification

Once you’ve gotten quotes from at least three AC repair companies, you must make sure that all of them are licensed or certified to do HVAC repairs and installations. You need to entrust your time and money to a service provider that knows the ins and outs of the business, like the DM Select Ashburn Company for example.

An uncertified technician may offer you cheap fees, but you can’t really expect high-quality services from them. Likewise, a repair company without a contractor’s license is a huge red flag that you should avoid. If you want the repairs to be done just once, go for the company that has already made a name for themselves.

Experience and Track Record

Generally, the number of years in business will give you an idea if a repair company is trustworthy or not. However, if you’re looking into a relatively new company, customer reviews should help you decide if they’re capable of delivering the services they promised. Again, licensing and certifications can give you a pretty good idea if the company and its employees are qualified.

While you can easily search for a company’s social media page and read customer reviews, it’s also worth considering that not all positive reviews can be found online. Hence, it’s recommended to ask around to see which company has the most referrals. If your friends and their friends say that a particular company does the job well, then it’s certainly worth a chance.

Customer Service

You’d immediately know whether a particular brand or company would sit well with you based on how its people interact with you during the first contact. You obviously won’t bother with a service provider that’s impolite and unresponsive. Look for a repair company that’s ready to answer all of your questions and is more than happy to assess your situation and needs. The key here is to settle with a company that makes you feel comfortable in all phases of the service.

Service Availability

Aside from positive interactions with the company staff, their services should also be as prompt and as accessible as possible. They should be able to get back to you within two hours so you know what can be done as soon as possible.

Location

This may be obvious, but you should go for a repair company that has a physical office that’s situated conveniently near your home or workplace. Contacting a reputable technician whose office is inconveniently far may solve your AC unit problem, but it may be an impractical choice for both of you. First, they may not be immediately available if you need them to conduct follow-up check-ups and repairs. Second, both of you could make better use of your time instead of waiting and traveling.

Before finally settling for one repair company, be sure to do your research so you can see which deal is the best for you. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go for the cheapest deal out there. However, you should at least go for the most reliable one based on research and your actual interactions with the company staff.

Is That Moving Company Right For You?

Which Type of Corporate or Residential Mover Should You Choose?

Van line moving companies come in various types depending on specialty services that they offer. Check these before hiring your next mover.

Moving houses can be quite a satisfying activity, but only if you follow the right process and use professional assistance. Planning the moving right can be your first step to having a stress-free relocation to your new home or office. If you have heard from friends and family that used the wrong people for the job, you know how hectic their moving was. And, in planning, you must start that with choosing a moving option that will be the most advantageous to you. Is it full-service moving, self-moving, or one that borrows from these two options?

Ideally, the most logical choice for most people is professional full-service moving. But, that is just because they dread the much work that moving calls for, and the possible risks in it. However, your situation could only require self-moving services or any other lesser and cheaper option than full van line services. Each of these different types of moving services also comes with benefits on which you can capitalize. Omaha Movers is a moving company you can count on to get you through tough moves of all kinds if you are from their city. But, right before you pick on a particular kind of mover, consider these three:

Where farthest can they move?

Some movers run their operations within one state only. Others offer interstate moving services. Some of the latter also have authorized agents to run the interstate moving in their name. All that the mover handles in such a case is paperwork processing, claims processing, shipment dispatching routing, and cargo monitoring. Such an arrangement ensures that you get your belongings on time and untampered. So, here, your options are pretty many depending on where to you are relocating.

How do they price their services?

Always confirm the reputation of the moving company that you are planning to hire. That boils down to how much they are willing to be transparent about how they price their moving services. Do their moving costs come with hidden fees that you will need to cover later on? Or, will the quotation they will give you be final? And, in that, what do they include in that particular moving package?

Which packages does the mover offer?

Does the moving company only offer corporate relocation or they are also household movers? Do they provide full-service moving only, or they have smaller packages for partial and self-moving? Are they also certified specialty movers that they can handle delicate and highly valuable items? Or, will you have to hire a second moving company specifically for that? Can they move your vehicles, too, or you will need an auto-transportation company to handle that?

Choosing the right moving service to use will depend on how informed you make your decisions on this subject. Get the specifics: what does the mover offer in a particular package, how is their service pricing, and within what distance do they operate? Covering these three factors will help you determine whether taking full van line services will be the most advantageous to you. Consider the bulkiness of your belongings and the duration within which you should move are two excellent ways to guide your choice of moving service to use. From that, and the different quote estimates that the movers that you will shortlist, you can budget accordingly.

However, the bottom line here is that you get moving services that will make the moving less stressful, more exciting, and within your budget.

Tips For Making Your First Long-Distance Relocation Stress-Free

Moving across the border can be a big undertaking for anyone. When you relocate to a new home, you don’t want to stress yourself about the plans but enjoy this exciting experience instead. Thus, hiring professional long distance movers can be the easiest way to avoid moving day stress. However, even if you have professionals on your side, you still need to perform some planning and preparation.

Here are a few essential tips to consider when making your first long-distance move stress-free.

1. Find Time

Again, even if you hire a mover, there are plenty of things you need to do to make your move a seamless transition for everyone. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to handle the entire moving process, you may have to clear schedule for a specific period of time. You’ll accomplish more work if you have adequate time to prepare for them. Avoid the likelihood of a stressful last-minute move by dedicating time to make things much more manageable.

2. Keep a moving file

Handling the moving logistics isn’t easy. In order to make the process more convenient, it’s essential to keep all vital information in one place. These documents may include insurance information, a moving contract, and contact numbers. Remember, having a moving file can help you stay organized throughout your first relocation.

3. Downsize

Your move can be costly, depending on the weight of your belongings. That said, decluttering can be a wise and less stressful moving strategy. Before your scheduled relocation, check all your items and determine what to donate, keep, and sell. When you go through your items, you can begin with the stuff you’re not attached emotionally. Once you sort things out, you can hold a garage sale or donate some of your belongings to a local charity.

4. Make use of a solid packing plan

Another way of making your move stress-free is to pack smart. Have a packing plan in place to make sure all of your belongings are strategically moved from one place to another. When packing, use durable boxes to prevent items from possibly breaking. If you’re moving to cities like NYC, ask the moving company New York City you hire on how they’ll wrap your furniture pieces to prevent damage.

After packing, be sure to label each box with your name and contact number. Also, include in your label the designated room the box belongs to make the unloading process faster for you and your movers.

5. Enlist help

In addition to hiring movers, you can also enlist help from your family, friends, and relatives to get things done quickly. It’s one way of preventing yourself from burn out during the move. However, you need to be realistic about the help you can get from other people. Consider what they can accomplish and focus on their strengths. That way, you can take advantage of the helping hands you can get from other people.

6. Prepare your new home in advance

If you can, get your new home ready before the moving day. It’s certainly easy and convenient to paint walls, replace floors, install new fixtures, and many more if you’re not yet unpacking. You should also tick deep cleaning and other to-dos off of your list ahead of time. Consequently, your moving day will be as less stressful as it should be.

7. Have a moving kit in place

If you want your first night in your new home to be more relaxed and smoother, it’s best to prepare a moving kit in advance. This should include some essentials like clothes, chargers, flashlight, few kitchenware, medical kit, and many others. Remember, having a moving kit can help you survive your first night with all the

Conclusion

It’s clear that moving stress comes in if you’re unprepared. So, follow the tips mentioned above to avoid completing everything in a hurry. Stay organized and use a slow but steady approach to make your first long-distance move a stress-free and smooth experience.

How to Decorate Your Bedroom for a Calming Effect

There’s no limit when it comes to decorating your bedroom. However, your bedroom should be a place for sleep and relaxation. Giving your body enough sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. That said, here are some tips to ensure that your bedroom decoration style promotes a calming effect:

Carefully Position and Set Up the Bed

Your bed is the main element of your bedroom and it should set the tone of the whole room’s style. Position it in the room such that it’s one of the first things you see when you walk inside. To set a relaxing tone, the bed should be inviting and comfortable. To make the bed look luxurious, consider layered bedding by doing the following:

• Layer soft sheets, followed by a light blanket and, finally, a quilt for added warmth.
• Add a comforter in a duvet cover and place a throw blanket across the bed’s foot.
• Complete the look with several throw pillows to make bedtime a truly relaxing time.

Ensure Safe Movements

To make moving around the room smooth, ensure that you have enough room around the bed. This way, you won’t stub your toes or bump your shins when getting out of and into the bed. Think about the actual bed dimensions in buying a mattress. Save more when you purchase a mattress on Labor Day or other holidays.

Use Adjustable Lighting

Bedside lighting is an important part of the room. Choose soft, relaxing lighting that can be regulated as needed. Consider using an adjustable sconce lighting to keep your nightstand tidy while giving you the option to reposition it to get enough light for bedside reading.

Choose Opaque Window Covers

The body restores itself while sleeping and for it to do this task effectively, it needs to be in darkness. There are several options for window blackouts that allow enough light so that you can enjoy natural sunlight in the morning while still providing enough privacy during daytime.

Relaxing Color Choices

Color can affect moods, and when it comes to choosing colors for your bedroom, choose cooler hues. Consider the colors lilac, blue, and light shades of gray to encourage rest. On the other hand, warm colors such as red and orange are better used somewhere else in the house as they have an energizing effect.

Clutter-Free is Stress-Free

Although you close your eyes when sleeping, having clutter around the bedroom can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. You’d want to keep only necessary furniture inside the bedroom. Eliminate clutter and distractions inside the bedroom to help you destress at the end of a tiring day.

Choose a Quiet Fan

In planning the bedroom’s design, you may consider adding a ceiling fan to help provide fresh air and enable good air circulation, which can also add to giving you a sound sleep. It’s not a requirement for you to have a fan, but it can be a great addition to a healthy bedroom. Choose a ceiling fan that makes little noise so as not to distract you.

Add a Dash of Green

You don’t have to keep a garden inside your bedroom but adding one or more plants can bring a sense of health, life, and relaxation. You can place one large plant at the corner or have several small plants grouped on your nightstand or dresser. You can water them every week and open the curtains during the day to let in some light, and you’ll have pretty plants to help you relax.

Treat All Your Senses

To help your mind and body relax, try soothing your senses. Relive a peaceful, spa-like environment in your bedroom. Place a bunch of fresh flowers in a vase, try using a reed diffuser to spread the calming fragrance of lavender, rose, or jasmine, and use a sound machine to suppress traffic noise. All these can make your bedroom inviting and calming.

Remove Technology

Of course, you can’t eliminate everything technology-related, but this means not having computers, television, or exercise equipment inside the bedroom. To enjoy a relaxing retreat, you’d have to ensure that you don’t bring work to bed with you. Create a haven that’s devoid of technology to help you better connect to your natural rhythms.

Final Thoughts

When you’re confused, tired, and stressed by all that’s happening around you, you may be tempted to collapse and cry. While escaping from your responsibilities is impossible, there is something you can do to make your bedroom a heavenly refuge. With just a smidgen of work, you’ll transform your bedroom into a place of calm and rest, allowing you to recharge and face the next day with renewed strength.

How to Improve Air Quality in Your Home

via

Home upgrades often focus on improving appearance, and energy efficiency has also gained importance in recent years. However, indoor air quality (IAQ) is fundamental for human health, and the subject tends to receive less attention. The US Environmental Protection Agency has determined that indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air on average, and this applies even for urban areas.

Considering that humans spend around 90% of their time indoors in urban settings, controlling air quality is very important. There are three main ways to improve IAQ, and they can be used simultaneously to achieve the best results:

• Eliminating or minimizing the sources of air pollution.
• Designing an effective ventilation system, which ensures a constant supply of fresh air.
• Removing pollutants directly from the air, by using filters or air purifiers.

There are many types of air pollutants, and some are notorious for their ability to remain undetected. Some are easy to identify due to their unpleasant smell, but others are odorless and colorless. There is a specific category of air pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOC), and some even have pleasant aromas, causing the impression that they are harmless.

Which Substances Are Considered Air Pollutants?

Thousands of substances have been identified as air pollutants, but a few are the most relevant in building interiors. Depending on the reaction they cause, air pollutants can be described as irritants or allergens. To provide air quality for everyone, both types must be kept under control:

• An irritant causes a negative reaction on anyone exposed to it. For example, ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks harmful radiation from space, but ground-level ozone is a potent lung irritant.
• An allergen only affects susceptible individuals. Pollen, mold spores and animal dander are common examples of allergens.

Most air pollutants are not dangerous with short-term exposure, and most health conditions only develop when air quality has been ignored for long. However, some air pollutants are very dangerous even with brief exposure. Asthma patients are especially vulnerable, since pollutants can trigger flare-ups.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is extremely dangerous: the gas is released by combustion appliances that have poor ventilation, and it can poison humans at concentrations as low as one percent. The gas is colorless and odorless, which makes it even more dangerous, and CO sensors are normally required by law. Carbon monoxide should not be confused with carbon dioxide, which requires a much higher concentration to become dangerous.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) are not as threatening as carbon monoxide with short-term exposure. However, they can lead to serious health issues in the long run.

• VOCs are normally released by new construction materials, new furniture, cleaning products, artificial fragrances and cosmetics.
• PM is normally released from combustion, just like carbon monoxide. PM in outdoor air may also form when other pollutants react chemically under sunlight.

Controlling Air Pollution with Smart Ventilation and Filtering

Large amounts of air pollutants are released in areas like kitchens, bathrooms and garages. All these areas should have extractor fans, to remove harmful substances before they spread to  other rooms. Air pollution sensors can be added to ventilation systems, activating the extractors automatically when harmful substances are detected.

Humidity is not considered an air pollutant, but organisms that affect air quality thrive in humid environments.

• Mold is one of the best-known examples, and it can damage some construction materials in addition to degrading air quality.
• Dust mites also reproduce faster with moisture, and they cause allergic reactions in many people.
• Both mold and dust mites die off when relative humidity is reduced below 50%.

Plants are natural air filters, since they absorb many pollutants as part of their metabolic process. Indoor plants can improve air quality, but flowering plants should be avoided to prevent the release of pollen. Air filters and purifiers can also improve air quality, but ozone-based purifiers are not recommended. While they remove other substances, they defeat their own purpose by releasing ozone, a strong respiratory irritant.

Indoor air quality can be improved by minimizing the sources of pollutants, combined with effective ventilation and filtering. HVAC engineers can optimize the ventilation system design for a home, achieving both energy efficiency and air quality.

Michael Tobias is the founder and principal of Chicago Engineers, an Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Company in America. He leads a team of 30+ mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers from the company headquarters in New York City; and has led over 1,000 projects in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and California, as well as Singapore and Malaysia.