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Visit our Website! Dalcohvac.com
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| Test Results Indicate Trane CleanEffects Removes the Common Flu Virus While Filtering Indoor Air |
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A recent study revealed Trane CleanEffects™ Removes More Than 99 Percent of the Influenza A Virus. If you are interested in clean, healthy air, a Trane CleanEffects Air Cleaner might be your answer.
During flu season and throughout the year, families are exposed to viruses that circulate in the air they breathe indoors, so taking measures to prevent illness makes sense. Getting a flu shot, eliminating germs on surfaces through cleaning, and washing hands often are important steps to avoid getting the flu. Yet, many people are still susceptible to the virus in the air in their home. The main way influenza viruses are spread is from person-to-person in respiratory droplets of coughs or sneezes.
Now, first-of-its-kind research conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in collaboration with scientists at Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., (EH&E) shows that Trane CleanEffects™, a whole-house air filtration system,
removes more than 99 percent of the common flu, or influenza A virus from the filtered air.
Because of the similarities among types of influenza viruses, Harvard and EH&E researchers concluded that Trane CleanEffects will remove more than 99 percent of other forms of the virus, including influenza B, influenza C and avian influenza (also a strain of influenza A virus) from the filtered air.
The tests involved releasing the common flu virus into the air inside a test heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct. The removal efficiency was calculated from the amount of the common flu virus measured in air samples collected before and after passing through the Trane CleanEffects system.
"By removing the vast majority of the common flu virus from a home's re-circulated air, the average airborne concentration of the virus in the home is reduced, thereby lowering airborne exposure to the virus for household occupants," said Dr. David MacIntosh, instructor at the Harvard Extension School, and principal scientist at EH&E.
Trane has received Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trane is the clear industry leader in EPA compliance for FIFRA as the first whole-house air cleaner to obtain a FIFRA registration number.
"In a home with central forced air and a conventional 1-inch filter, the average virus particle would recirculate through the home about seven times before depositing on a surface or being transported outdoors. That's more than enough time to breathe in the virus, and cleaning the air in your home is an important step to improve the health of your home environment," said MacIntosh.
"People with allergies and asthma are potentially at a greater risk of catching the airborne flu virus. Additionally, patients with asthma may have a more severe course of the flu because of their underlying airway damage. For this reason, we recommend that anyone with asthma take all measures to prevent acquiring the flu. These test results are very important because theydemonstrate that installing a whole-house air cleaner, such as Trane CleanEffects, can add another layer of protection against the flu for patients with allergies and asthma," said Dr. Paula Busse, M.D., allergy and immunology specialist, Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Trane CleanEffects utilizes patented breakthrough air cleaning technology to eliminate allergens and particles you don't want in your home, such as dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, mold spores, smoke and now the common flu virus.
It even removes particles as small as .1 microns - 1/1,000th the diameter of a human hair - the size that eludes most air cleaners. To put this in perspective when it comes to the common flu, a single influenza virus is around .1 micron in diameter. Trane CleanEffects is 100 times more effective than the standard 1-inch filter found in most home central systems, removing up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles and more than 99 percent of the common flu virus from the filtered air.
"With the highest clean air delivery rate in the industry, the Trane CleanEffects whole-house
system is another powerful tool in battling the flu virus at home," said Steve Arnholt, indoor air quality systems leader for Trane.
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| Winterize your Swamp Coolers ASAP! |
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You are probably noticing a decidedly cooler climate in the mornings lately. One of the household chores which must be attended to very soon is the winterizing and protection of your evaporative cooler / swamp cooler.
DALCO is now scheduling swamp cooler shutdowns at the reduced rate of $114.
If you would rather try to shutdown the cooler yourself, the following process is vital to the future of your unit.
Be sure you make a note of the safety precautions, marked by the asterisks.
1. Be sure that all switches which provide power to the unit are in the OFF position. There will most likely be a switch or button for the pump, and another for the fan. *** It is important to be sure that while you are working with water and electrical components, you take steps to assure that no power can pass through this unit.
2. Locate the water source, feeding the unit. You may have to trace the small ¼ " black supply line from the unit, backwards, to locate the valve for shutting off the water. Be sure that you fully close the valve, so that no water can pass through to the pump. Try not to twist it so hard that you break the tabs or strip the fitting. You only need to stop the water flow.
3. Once you have closed the supply valve, use the correct size wrench to disconnect the supply line at the valve. Take care to notice that there is usually a tiny "bead" sort of pressure fitting inside the nut, and this will need to be replaced with a new one when you are reconnecting it in the spring. These beads are NOT reusable. You may want to have a coffee can or pan ready to allow this line to drain into it, instead of leaking on your roof or floor if that applies.
4. If your unit is located on the roof, it is now time to climb the ladder. You may need a screwdriver, a pair of channel locks or large pliers, and a rag or towel for keeping your hands dry and wiping out the interior of the water pan. Make sure those things are with you, to save multiple climbs up and down the ladder. If your unit is a window mounted style, you have just skipped a step.
5. Remove the panels from the sides of your unit. If you have a roof mount, there will be four. If this is a window mount, there will only be three. Most of these are held in place with little turn clips which are easily twisted out of the way. If one is hard to turn, either loosen the screw holding it in place, or GENTLY turn it with the pliers.
6. If your unit is hard wired, meaning if it is wired into the house wiring, not plugged into an outlet, turn off the switches or breakers in the junction box which should be mounted near the unit. Be SURE that you dry your hands, and don't handle electricity with wet hands! If the unit is simply plugged in, unplug it. Be aware that some units have two plugs, one for the blower, and one for the pump. Be sure ALL the power is disconnected.
7. Drain the water from the pan in the bottom of the unit by releasing the plug on the bottom. This water can be allowed to run off the roof, just be careful not to step and slip on it. (Unless you have a tile or metal roof, the shingles should be plenty of grip)
8. Take the rag you brought with you, and wipe out the pan after draining, to remove the sediment and excess water in it.
9. Disconnect the supply line, that little ¼" line that most likely attaches to the float valve inside the unit. Since you have already disconnected the other end of this line, it would be a good idea to blow through it now, to force any residual water to drain. Any moisture left in this line might freeze and rupture the line.
10. Using the pliers, loosen the mounting bracket which is holding the blower motor. When it is loose, rock it over to allow the belt to be removed. It is fine to leave the belt and the pump in the bottom of the pan, inside this unit for the winter, however if you live where winters are extreme, it might lengthen the life of them both to remove both the pump and the belt to a heated garage or shed for storage. Examine the condition of the belt and get a replacement if it is cracked or worn.
11. If you are dealing with a roof mounted unit, there should be a slide damper, a little sliding door to close between the roof opening and the bottom of the unit. Most of these are in the mounting jack that bridges the gap between the unit and the roof opening, and may be a panel that has to be replaced into a slot. This prevents cold air from entering the duct from the cooler.
12. Replace the panels on the sides of the unit, leaving the pads inside to help to insulate the unit for the winter.
13. Purchase a cover for a swamp cooler but be sure it accurately fits your cooler's dimensions before buying! The objective is to further close off air flow, and also to prevent dirt and sand from getting into the pads and unit.
14. Go back to the water feed source (the first disconnection you did), and check to be sure it isn't leaking, or dripping. Once you are sure you have the valve closed completely, you can remove the drip can or pan, and empty it.
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| Hatch Green Chili Recipe |
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Bronco Bob's Chili
Cook Time: 2 hr 45 min
Level: Easy
Yield: about 2 quarts
Close Times:
Prep 12 min Inactive Prep -- Cook 2 hr 45 min Total: 2 hr 57 min
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 canned green hatch chile, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (recommended: El Pato brand)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth, divided
- 8 tablespoons California chili powder, divided (recommended: Sespe Creek Chili Potters)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons adobo seasoning blend, divided (recommended: Accent)
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 1/2 pounds beef tri tip, cubed
- 4 ounces pork sausage
- 2 tablespoons mild New Mexico chili powder (recommended: Sespe Creek Chili Potters)
- 3 tablespoons cumin, divided
- 1 tablespoon hot New Mexico chili powder (recommended: Sespe Creek Chili Potters)
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
Directions:
In a chili pot, combine onion, green chile, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, 6 tablespoons California chili powder, salt, 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning blend, and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 1 hour. After chili has simmered for 1 hour, add the remaining 2 tablespoons California chili powder.
In a large skillet, brown beef and sausage together over medium-high heat. Add beef and sausage to chili and simmer for 30 minutes, adding more chicken broth as needed. Add the mild New Mexico chili powder and 2 tablespoons cumin and simmer another 45 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon adobo seasoning blend, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon hot New Mexico chili powder, and the lime juice. Cook for another 30 minutes, adding more chicken broth as needed. Season with additional salt, to taste.
Zest factor: medium hot
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SAVE up to $3,000 on a New Home Comfort System! |
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Tax Credits, Manufacturer, and Xcel Rebates make now the perfect time to install New, High-Efficiency Cooling and Heating Equipment!
Now is the perfect time to increase your home's Energy Efficiency and the overall Performance of your heating and cooling equipment while giving you the greatest savings possible!
The 2009 Stimulus Package contains Tax Credit Incentives up to $1,500 for High-Efficiency Air Conditioners, Furnaces, Boilers, and Water Heaters.
Additionally, Trane is currently offering Manufacturer's Rebates up to $1,000 after the sale and installation of a New Home Comfort System.
But the savings don't stop there - High Efficiency cooling and heating equipment can save homeowners up to 60% in utility bills.
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Greetings!
Thank you for your business! Cool weather days are here and the first frost will be here before you know it! Fall is a beautiful season in the Rockies and we hope you get to see the changing of the Aspens before it's too late!
We've included some tips on how to stay energy efficient this fall so you can cut-down on your energy bills. Also, we've included some information regarding the heath effects associated with proper humidity and clean air.
Fall is also time to shut-down your swamp cooler to keep the pipes from breaking in the winter. We are now scheduling this calls at reduced rate of $114.00
We hope you have a wonderful Colorado Fall!
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Fall Pilgrimages for Aspen Lovers! |
Hurry and See the Aspens this Fall Before it's too Late!
Coloradoans adore the few weeks during the early fall when the aspen's quaking leaves turn their vibrant shade of gold. The month of September is the ideal time to witness this gilded spectacle, but you have to time it right-the color is diminishing, lasting only about a week in most places. Unfortunately, it's difficult to predict when exactly the leaves will turn in any given location. The best strategy: select your travel dates in advance, but not your destination. Then go wherever the color is!
Here are a few road-tripping routes, sorted by region, that have become fall-color pilgrimages for aspen lovers:
In the Southwest: Dallas Divide and Lizard Head Pass: Begin your journey in the town of Ridgway, located south of Montrose. Head west on Colorado 62 over Dallas Divide. Lining the route are unimpeded views of the grand Sneffels Range, an apron of aspens at its feet. At Placerville, head southeast towards Telluride on Colorado 145. All the way to Lizard Head Pass you'll drive through dense groves of the white-barkedbeauties, with frequent panoramas of Wilson Peak.
In the Northwest:
Maroon Bells: Quite possibly the most photographed mountains in North America, the Maroon Bells are situated southwest of the aptly named town of Aspen. These peaks are an ideal spot to capture the glory of fall color on film, so be sure to bring your camera. On weekends in September, access to the Bells is limited to shuttle buses that leave Aspen on a regular basis. But if you reserve a campsite along Maroon Creek Road, you can drive your vehicle all the way to the scenic Maroon Lake, where the golden trees frame a reflection of the purple-and-white-striped peaks.
Grand Junction to Grand Mesa: This route boasts spectacular stands of aspen along with other varieties of turning trees. From Grand Junction, head east on I-70 through Palisade and along the Colorado River, where riverside cottonwoods slowly phase into yellow-leafed splendor. At Colorado 65, head east and then south through more canyon country and up to the top of Grand Mesa, where glowing aspens stretch for as far as the eye can see. Stop at Island Lake to fish for trout or continue over the mesa to Cedaredge.
In the Front Range:
The Peak-to-Peak Scenic and Historic Byway: From Black Hawk to Estes Park, this serpentine highway meanders through valleys and skims the top of ridges, taking the most scenic route at every turn. Take Colorado 119 from Black Hawk north to Nederland then follow Colorado 72 to Raymond. From here, proceed on Colorado 7 past the 14,255-foot Longs Peak to Estes Park. Quaking aspens pop up in surprising places along the entire route.
Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway: Take this rambling route south out of the historic town of Georgetown and you'll not only find pockets of blazing aspen but high-altitude nirvana atop the 11,699-foot Guanella Pass. Note: the aspens are more prevalent on the southern side of the pass. Once you reach the town of Grant, you turn right on US 285 and take the highway for 15 minutes to the top of Kenosha Pass, where the aspen thrive on the rim of the gentle slopes that encircle South Park.
Other favorite routes:
Colorado 14 through Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins to the top of Cameron Pass.
Fall River Road from I-70 (Exit 238) to St. Mary's Glacier.
Boulder County Road 130 from Nederland to the Fourth of July Trailhead (dirt road).
To locate areas with the best fall color at any given time, consult:
US Forest Services: 800-354-4595 (nationwide hotline) or http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/colors |
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Stay Energy Efficient this Fall |
 Tips from the U.S. Department of Energy on How to Have an Energy-Efficient Season
Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What's more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change. They also generate about 12% of the nation's sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.
No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20% to 50%.
Heating and Cooling Tips:
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season.
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Call the DALCO office for more information.
For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings.
For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14 SEER or more. | |
| Guide to Halloween Activities in the Denver Area |
Halloween Festivities for the Family throughout the Denver Area
Halloween today is a lot different than it use to be. We still dress our children up in crazy outfit that either scare or entertain others. But, we don't let our children trick-or-treat as much. What can we do to keep our children from getting bored on Halloween? As such, how can we keep ourselves from getting bored? What can we do to keep ourselves entertained, and keep the spirit of Halloween alive?
The following is a guide to some of the activities in the Denver area.
Fright Fest - Held at Six Flags Elitch Gardens from October 6 to October 29. While the theme park is streaming with Bugs Bunnies, Tweety Birds and Sylvesters, there is a place where children should fear to tread. After 6 P.M., the annual Fright Fest in Six Flags Elitch Gardens begins, transforming into a chilling adventure. It all starts with a Death Processional led by a hearse. This thrills and chills include two haunted houses, live seances, a cockroach eating contest and zombies roaming the park. Also included this year is the first annual Fright Fest Basket Race, where visitors will take part in creating "cruisin'" baskets and claim such prizes as a 2007 season pass.
Crazed Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch - "Fun for all ages", this 14-acre maze will have you or your children twisting around in a corn field. This can put your directional skills to the test. It's great outdoor fun for any age group. In addition, they offer hundreds of pumpkins for anyone interested to pick out for themselves. Special pricing for groups. Find the maze two miles West of 104th Avenue on McKay Road.
Munson Farm Pumpkin Patch - U-pick pumpkins and hay rides on weekends. They offer a corn maze, squash, Indian corn, gourds, pie pumpkins, corn stalks, straw bales, and much more. Munson Farms is located on the northwest corner of Valmont Road and 75th Street, east of Boulder. It's great fun for all ages.
Pumpkin Daze - Visit Bellflower Farms and step back in time to Grandma's farm and pick a pumpkin out of their 50 ton selection to take home for carving. They offer a haunting selection of scarecrows and other decorative items. Enjoy face painting, a costume contest, games, tractor rides, German pastries, and a craft sale. Plus, they offer the farm animals to pet. Bellflower farms is located at 4704 West Bowles Ave. in Littleton. Fun for all ages.
Carnival of Chaos plus Murray Corn Maze - Located 5 minutes north of Mile High Flea Market, near the SE corner of Hwy 85 and 112th Ave, this scary little treat is not for the timid or those of you who are deathly afraid of clowns. Want a scare? Don't miss this frightening fun.
From Denver:
Take I-25 to I-76 east to Hwy 85 north.
Follow Highway 85 north to 112th Ave. (Stoplight)
Turn east (right) on 112th and go 1/4 mile to Havana St.
Turn south (right) and go 1/4 mile to entrance on LEFT.
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| Benefits of a Whole House Humidifier |
Home and Health Benefits of Humidifiers
Almost everyone is trying to live a healthier life these days, but many people tend to overlook the health benefits of in-taking moist, clean air. Since Colorado is a desert climate, it's important to humidify our homes- especially during the winter when furnaces are further drying the air and at times reducing humidity levels to as low as 10%.
Dry air poses a variety of health concerns, especially to those who suffer from asthma and allergies. While we all know dry air irritates our eyes, throat, lungs and skin; it can also pose greater health concerns such as interfering with our body's ability to intake sufficient amounts of oxygen. Dry air makes the uptake of oxygen and its transfer into the blood stream more difficult on our body; causing us to feel fatigued, have reduced concentration, and suffer from headaches- all symptoms of a reduced oxygen supply.
Within our homes, humidification reduces levels of dust, stops the build-up of static electricity, and prevents hardwood floors from cracking. DALCO recommends whole-house humidification systems as the best solution for all homeowners seeking to increase the humidification level in their homes up to 50%.
Increased moisture adds comfort to our daily lives and adds comfort to our wallets by lowering energy costs as well. Because warm-moist air feels warmer than warm-dry air, homeowners can typically lower their thermostats, saving up to 4% on their heating bill for every degree lowered- averaging a savings of 12%.
Whole-house humidifiers are easy to maintain and lack the risk of growing mold and bacteria that is common to small room-humidifier units. Rather than cleaning, disinfecting, and refilling your tank everyday, whole-house humidifiers are limited in their required maintenance to replacing the pad once a year- which your DALCO service technician can do during your annual furnace tune-up.
Call DALCO for more information or questions.
303-979-7541
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| Thanks From DALCO |
 DALCO is proud to have been serving the Denver area since 1981 specializing in HVAC installation, service, performance testing, and repair. All of DALCO's technicians are NATE certified, drug tested, and receive continuing education classes for quality assurance.
DALCO has earned an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau.
Thank You for your business.
Sincerely,
DALCO
**Remember, we pay referrals on installations! | |
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