Monthly Archives: September 2011

What is an HVAC System?

Posted on by Bid Boomerang

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning, and even if you think you don’t know what an HVAC system is, you probably just don’t realize that you do. If you’ve ever seen a movie where characters were crawling around in the duct work of a building, you were looking at an HVAC system. Most modern buildings have some sort of HVAC system installed, and its HVAC system is to regulate the temperature of a home or building. It does this by controlling the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. It is a very handy machine to have because it combines those three elements, rather than putting them in three separate machines.

Functions of an HVAC System

In addition to heating and cooling a room or building, an HVAC machine can also bring fresh outdoor air inside and dilute interior airborne contaminants like odors, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), chemical fumes, dust particles, etc. If your HVAC machine is properly maintained, it should provide a comfortable indoor environment year round.

Installing the Wrong Sized HVAC System

Surprisingly, when it comes to installing your own HVAC system, size really does matter. So much so that an HVAC system that is improperly sized will not be able to keep a building’s occupants comfortable. Often when an HVAC system isn’t the right size it is too big, which makes it likely that the purchaser of the unit was overcharged. An HVAC system that is too large traps water and remains constantly damp, which can contaminate the air supply. Additionally, the bigger a system is the more expensive it is to keep it running, so an oversized unit forces its user to spend unneeded money on energy bills.

HVAC Design Elements

There are many different HVAC system designs, and every building’s system has its own unique design and operation. However, HVAC systems typically share a few of the same basic design elements. They are: an outside air intake, an air handling unit (a system of fans, heating and cooling coils, air-flow control dampers, air filters, etc.), an air distribution system, and an air exhaust system.

How the HVAC System Works

Air is drawn into the building through the HVAC’s air intake system. It is then filtered to remove any dust particles or other contaminates so that the air being delivered to the building is absolutely fresh, and heated or cooled depending on the system’s temperature setting. Then, the system uses the air ducts you probably remember from the movies to circulate the heated or cooled and filtered air throughout the building. 

It is important to make sure your HVAC system is working properly especially when you live in extreme climates like Phoenix Arizona. Regular tune-ups are a must to ensure that you don’t end up with a sizzling house on a Saturday night. Bid Boomerang can connect you with professional Mesa ac repairmen who will bid on your project for FREE. Give it a try!

Fun Facts About Electricity

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Electricity is one of the most important phenomena in our world, without it we would be completely lost. Imagine your life with no computers, no cell phones, and no television, and you will only be scratching the surface of what our world would be like without electricity. Here are some interesting facts about electricity for you to consider:

 Some Things About Electricity You May Not Have Known

  1. Many people think that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, but it was actually invented by Humphrey Davy in 1806. However, the light was too bright to be practical for indoor use and required an incredible amount of power to stay on. Edison’s invention improved both of these points and invented the light bulb we use today.
  2. A combined total of about $13 billion worth of wasted energy leaks out of homes every year through small cracks and holes. Split evenly, that equals about $150 a year per household. Americans spend about $212 billion on their electrical bills every year, and that number is constantly growing.
  3. The sun radiates as much energy into our world in 15 minutes as humans use in a whole year.
  4. When Christmas lights were first invented, they were so expensive that it was more common for families to rent them then to own them. In the early 1900s, an electrically lighted Christmas tree was a symbol of high status.

  5. Electric currents are measured in volts. A flash light battery contains 1.5 volts while a spark of static electricity can measure up to 3,000 volts. A bolt of lightning can measure up to 3 million volts, all while traveling at the speed of light, (more than 186,000 miles per second) and lasting less than one second. One lightning bolt has enough electricity to service 200,000 homes.
  6. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another. In the US, electricity is most commonly made by burning coal.
  7. The first windmill was built in Persia as 600 B.C. but the first windmill to produce electricity wasn’t built until 1890 in Denmark.

  8. Thomas Edison invented more than 2,000 electricity-related products, including light switches, sockets, and fuses. He also opened the first power plant in New York City in 1882. Today, a singl power plant can produce enough electricity to power 188,000 homes.
  9. When Christmas lights were first invented, they were so expensive that it was more common for families to rent them then to own them. In the early 1900s, an electrically lighted Christmas tree was a symbol of high status.

Bid Boomerang finds professional electricians in your area to bid on household electrical projects you may have. If you’re looking for a qualified electrician in Mesa AZ to bid on your project, let Bid Boomerang connect you with multiple tradesmen who will fight for your project. You know you’ll get the best price and the right contractor for the job.

The Wonders of Stainmaster Carpet

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 The Trouble with White

If you’re like most people, you hesitate to buy or wear white clothing because it is so easy to stain or ruin. Likewise, you don’t want to decorate your home with white accents because you want your design to last. But if you are redesigning a space and you want the finished look to be beautiful, classic, soft, and/or elegant, chances are you’re going to want to implement some white.

If you were designing your space prior to 1986, there wouldn’t have been a lot of options for you but luckily, with the help of Dupont Stainmaster, you can now completely outfit your home in white carpet and not have to worry about spills or stains.

What is Stainmaster Technology?

Stainmaster technology works on carpet in the same basic way that Teflon works on pots and pans, initiating surface tension and forcing stains to bead on the surface rather than adhere to the fibers of the carpet. This works well for most stains, but there are still certain acid-based dyes, present in most food products, that could still break through the barrier and stain the carpet.

To address this problem, the chemists Stainmaster realized that when carpet is dyed, negatively charged dye particles attach to positively charged dye sites, enabling the fibers in the carpet to “hold” the dye.  Although the process is quite technical, Stainmaster carpet is basically covered in a clear dye that neutralizes all of the dye sites and prevents them from accepting any more color.

Some Benefits of Using Stainmaster Carpets

Stainmaster carpets are known for their trendiness, fiber quality, and ease of cleaning. No matter what your design ideas are, any of their carpet types will likely look beautiful in your home. Dupont continues to grow, with half of all new carpet styles that are introduced each year coming from them.

The product also continues to evolve as new technological discoveries are made, and as a result Stainmaster carpets are able to withstand more household traffic than ever before. Indeed, Stainmaster carpets look better and last longer than any other type of carpet.

If you do decide to replace your flooring with Stainmaster carpet, keep in mind that no carpet is completely stain proof and that lighter colored carpets will still show dirt spots in high traffic areas. If you do spill on your Stainmaster carpet, be sure to clean it up immediately to prevent the stain from setting. Fortunately, while some dirt will still show up on your carpet, regular cleanings will keep them looking new and a professional should be able to treat and remove almost any stain from Stainmaster carpet.

If you’re looking for a professional to help you install carpet in your home, let Bid Boomerang help you find the right carpet specialist in Mesa. You submit a request for FREE and get multiple bids from qualified contractors. Try it today!

5 Simple Landscaping Ideas

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Landscaping is a great way to add beauty and value to your home. If you’re itching to give your yard a makeover but don’t have the budget or don’t want to hire someone else to do it, you may want to try to make the improvements on your own. However, taking on the landscaping for an entire yard may be a little daunting, so here are a few simple ideas to get you started:

Solar Powered Garden Lights

Solar powered garden lights will pull double duty lighting up your yard or garden and providing security. These lights are easy to install, with no wires to bury or trip over and are also environmentally friendly and won’t make your energy bill increase. Just place them in direct sunlight and let their tiny solar panels do the rest. For a variation on plain black garden lights, look for lights in fun shapes like flowers or butterflies or in different colors.

Water Gardens

A water garden can be an easy and fun way to play with your yard’s space. Depending on your budget and skill level, you can build anything from a small pond to an elaborate rocky setting. Either way, you will be adding visual interest to your yard as well as the relaxing element of water. For a touch of life, put some fish in your pond or hang a bird feeder to attract birds.

Create a Focal Point

Create a focal point in your yard by adding one bold colorful piece. For example, if your yard is a mixture of green grass and brown rock formations, try placing warm colored plants or decorations around your door or another area where you want people’s eyes to be drawn to. In this picture, a cool blue vase draws attention away from surrounding warm fall colors.

Garden Furniture

One of the easiest things you can do to dress up your yard is to add garden furniture, but choose carefully because your furniture will set the tone for your whole yard. For example, white metal furniture will give your yard a classy European look while mesh recliners will make it appear more relaxed. Also keep in mind that aluminum or wrought iron will withstand severe weather much better than other materials.

Cement Borders and Plant Borders

Installing a cement or plant boarder will soften the edges of your yard and make it appear more finished. Bricks or pavers can also add a unique twist to a classic boarder. Even if the border is just around one tree or flower bed, or leading up to your front door, it will give your yard a polished look. Adding a taller plant boarder around your yard will not only enhance your yard’s look, it will also give you more privacy.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to tackle your yard’s landscaping, why not give it a try! If the task just seems a little too daunting, however, it may be better to hire a professional. You’d be surprised at how inexpensive it is especially when you get 4-5 different landscapers bidding on your project. Let Bid Boomerang connect you with landscapers in Gilbert and Mesa who will bid on your project today for FREE!

What is Electricity?

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Understanding Electricity

In order to understand what electricity is, one must first understand the basics of what an atom is. Atoms are very small, and can only be seen with a high powered microscope. Atoms are present in EVERYTHING that can be seen our touched. They are made up of three parts: Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons. Electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom and they are the only part of the atom that moves. When electrons are moving, it’s called an electrical current.

Electricity can mean a variety of phenomena that result from the presence and flow of electrons. It is a basic part of nature and is one of our most widely used forms of energy. Lightning is one of the most dramatic effects of electricity, but we typically get it from the conversion of primary sources of energy such as coal, oil, nuclear power, and coal. Before power lines were used to carry electricity from one location to another, many cities and towns were built near waterfalls where they built water wheels to convert energy to electricity.

How to Use Electricity

Now we know where electricity comes from, but how do we use it? Electricity is present in many items that we use every day, and without it societies would collapse. Just imagine a world with no computers, no artificial light, and no telephones. In order to use an electrical current, you need three things. First is a circuit or path for the electrons to move through.

To understand how electricity moves through objects, try lining up a group of people, with each of them touching the finger of the person next to them. Have the person on one end hold on to something metal and then rub your feet on the carpeted ground to build up static electricity (this only works if you are wearing socks) Touch the finger of the person at the beginning of the line and watch as every person in the line feels the shock. This is because their bodies acted as conductors and energy was able to flow between them.



The second thing you need to use an electrical current is a power source to make the electrons move, like a battery or generator. In the above example, you acted as the power source by rubbing your socks against the carpet and building up energy. Finally, you need something to use up the electricity, in this case the energy stopped abruptly at the metal object at the end of the line of people, this is why everyone in the line felt the shock. Now imagine a power chord instead of a line of people, and a TV at the end instead of a metal object. Energy flows through the chord the same way it flowed through the people, and instead of stopping at the metal, it flows into the TV and allows it to turn on.

If you’re having electrical problems and looking for a professional to repair your appliances or outlets, Let Bid Boomerang connect you with qualified pre-screened electricians in Mesa who will bid for your project for FREE!

What to Do If Your Gas Furnace Stops Producing Heat

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gas furnace repairWhen your gas furnace stops working properly, your first reaction may be to call “the guy” to come and fix it. However, many furnace-related problems can be solved very quickly without the help of a professional heating and cooling specialist, if you just know where to look. So, if you have a gas furnace that stops producing heat, here are a few things you can try before you call “the guy.”

You’re going to want to check the most obvious things first, just to rule them out, so go ahead and make sure your thermostat is set to the proper temperature. If the thermostat is set too low, it won’t even be trying to get heat from the furnace. If the temperature reading is correct, try moving it up a few degrees to see if the furnace will kick on.

The next thing you should check is whether the circuit breaker or fuse that is controlling the furnace is tripped or blown. If the circuit breaker is tripped, resetting it should make the furnace work again. If a fuse is blown, replacing it should be a cheap and easy fix.

If the thermostat is working correctly and no breaker or fuse is tripped or blown, it is possible that the furnace’s control valve is closed. If it can be easily accessed, you should make sure that the valve is open. However, if you are unsure of what you are doing at any time you should certainly call a professional.

One final thing that could be causing problems is if the pilot light is out. If this is the case, make sure everything is completely shut off and then use the following steps to relight it.

  1. If your pilot has a red reset button, turn the gas valve from “Off” to “Pilot”
  2. If your pilot doesn’t have a red button, turn the knob from “Off” to “Pilot”
  3. Hold a lit match or ignited lighter up to the pilot and hold down the button that releases the gas for about 30 seconds. This keeps gas flowing to the pilot until the thermocouple gets hot enough to open the main gas valve.
  4. Once the pilot light is lit, slowly release the button and turn the valve or knob from “Pilot” to “On”. This ignites the burners and keeps gas flowing.
  5. If the burners don’t ignite it could be because the thermocouple didn’t get hot enough to open the gas valve. If this happens, wait a few minutes and try the process again but this time, hold the button or knob down for 45-60 seconds, instead of 30.

If you go through all of these steps and still aren’t getting any heat from the furnace, go ahead and call your guy. Calling in a professional may be expensive, but at least you will know you did everything you could to avoid it.

If you need a heating or cooling specialist in Mesa Arizona, let Bid Boomerang connect you with qualified contractors in your neighborhood for FREE. You will get multiple bids on your project so you know you are getting the best price.

Tips for Painting the Interior of your Home

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Painting the interior of your home should be easy, but making one little mistake can have a huge negative impact on the outcome. A few little drips here and there could end up ruining your carpet, and forgetting to stir your paint before applying it could result in streaking once the paint has dried. Here are some basic tips and information to ensure you get it right the first time.

Before you begin your painting project, there are a few things you will need:

  • 2-3” brush for cutting in
  • 4-5’ brush for walls
  • Paint roller
  • Wide blade scraper
  • Putty and putty knife
  • Stirring stick
  • Paint and paint tray (with liners)
  • Drop cloths
  • Painter’s tape

Step 1 – Prep the wall


Begin by cleaning the surface you will be painting. If there is loose paint, use the scraper to remove any flakes and then wash the wall with water and let it dry thoroughly. If there are any cracks or holes in the wall, fill them in with the putty and knife. Lay the drop cloth across the floor, making sure it covers the point where the floor meets the wall and finally, apply painter’s tape to the boarder of the area you are going to paint.

Step 2 – Apply Primer

If you are repainting walls that are in good condition and you aren’t dramatically changing the color, you shouldn’t need to prime the wall first. However, if you do decide to use a primer, setup and application are the same as the paint application in step 3. If you are painting a light color over a dark color, use a high hiding primer. If you are painting a dark color over a light color, use a tintable primer.

Step 3 – Apply Paint

Next, you will want to cut in with a paint brush to ensure clean lines at the corners and edges. Working in small sections, use the trim brush to make short strokes away from the edges. For best results, apply two coats.

Finally, dip your roller into the paint-filled tray and make sure it is fully saturated, but not dripping (a few drips are ok), roll a 3 food wide “M” onto the wall and then fill in the “M” without lifting your roller from the wall. Do this across the entire room until the wall is fully covered and again, apply two coats for best results.

If you’re thinking that painting the interior of your home is going to be too large of a project for you to tackle, it is probably best to call a professional painter to help you out. If you’re looking for a painter in Mesa AZ, let Bid Boomerang connect you with qualified painters who will bid on your project for FREE!

Choosing the Best Type of Garage Flooring

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Most garage floors are made out of cement, which is easily stained by oil and other chemicals that drip from your car. There are many different types of flooring that can be installed in your garage to protect it from such stains, and they can be broken down into two categories: floor paints/epoxy coatings, and synthetic coverings, such as rubber or plastic mats or tiles. Any type you choose can be installed on your own or by a professional flooring specialist.

Paints/Epoxy Coatings

Probably the easiest and most cost-effective type of flooring to do on your own, epoxy floor coverings are simply painted on. Floors that are protected by epoxy are super easy to clean with just a damp cloth or mop and cost anywhere from $.50 – $3.50 per square foot, depending on the type of epoxy you choose (1 or 2 part epoxy). If this is the type of flooring you choose, make sure it is made specifically for concrete floors and is free of additives so that it adheres correctly.

 

Synthetic Floor Square Coverings

Soft garage flooring tiles are made from PVC vinyl and last longer than their rigid counterpart. To install, simply remove the plastic backing that covers the adhesive, and stick them to the garage floor. Similar to epoxy coverings, this type of flooring prevents leaks and spills from reaching the concrete below, facilitating the cleaning process. However, once the tiles have been installed they cannot be taken apart or re-adjusted. If you are worried about un-installation, rigid floor tiles are probably a better solution.

 

Rigid floor tiles are typically made from polypropylene and they are usually installed using a mechanism that snaps the tile into place with the surrounding tiles. Like the soft garage tiles, they do not allow spills to reach the garage floor and can be easily cleaned. Typical cost for synthetic floor squares range from $4 to $6 per square foot.

Types of Central Air Conditioning Systems and How to Repair Them

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A central air conditioner keeps the air in your home cool using a system of supply and return ducts.  Hot air is moved across the cooled evaporator coil and is then delivered through supply ducts into the home. After the air has circulated and become warmer, return ducts bring it back into the air conditioning unit to be cooled once again. A central air conditioner is either a split-system or a packaged unit.

Packaged Central Air Conditioner

If you have two or more rooms that need to be cooled, this is probably the best central air system for you. In a packaged air conditioner, the evaporator, condenser, and compressor are typically located together in one cabinet, which is either placed on the roof or next to the home. Supply and return ducts connect to each room through an outside wall or the roof.

Split Air Conditioner

If you are looking to install an air conditioner and you already have a furnace in your home, a split-system air conditioner is probably the most economical decision. In a split-system air conditioner, the condenser and compressor are still located in a cabinet outside of the home (like with the packaged unit), but the evaporator is in a cabinet inside the home.

Troubleshooting AC Problems

When it comes to repairing your central air conditioning, the most important components to consider are the condenser and the evaporator. Because they are each sealed, a professional AC repairman should be called for any maintenance problem besides routine cleaning. Remember, before you begin any repair work on your air conditioning system, make sure it is completely powered off.

If the unit isn’t turning on, check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers and replace as needed. If the unit is running but isn’t cooling correctly, make sure that the thermostat is set to the right temperature first. Then, ensure the condenser unit isn’t blocked by any debris, weeds, grass, etc. Finally, try cleaning the condenser and evaporator.

Cleaning the Evaporator

Your system’s evaporator may not be accessible. However, if you can reach it, begin by removing the insulation that is covering it and unscrew the access plate. Use a stiff brush to clean all of the little nooks and crannies, being careful not to bend any of the pipes. You should also clean the tray underneath the evaporator unit. Once the evaporator is clean, put everything back to how it was, screw the access plate back into position, and turn the unit back on. Wave your hand around the unit to check for air leaks. If you find any leaks, seal them with duct tape.

Cleaning the Condenser

In your AC unit’s condenser, a fan moves the air across the condenser coil. You must clean the coil on the intake side so before you turn the air conditioner off, make sure you know which direction the air is flowing across the coils. Begin cleaning by using a coil cleaner (available at refrigerator supply stores) and then use a soft brush to get rid of built-up dirt. Use caution when cleaning the fins as they are easily damaged. Finally, use a leveler to make sure the condenser is level. If it’s not, use gravel to level it.

If your air conditioning unit is still not working properly, check the air ducts for leaks and repair if necessary.

Finally, if all else fails, it is time to call in a professional. Don’t try to repair something that is outside the scope of your abilities, you might end up making the problem worse and more expensive for yourself! If you need AC repair in Mesa AZ, let Bid Boomerang connect you with prescreened tradesmen who will bid on your project.

Tips for Painting Stucco

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Stucco has a very high level of texture and is typically done with some kind of plaster or cement on the outside of the home, or mud on the inside. It is typical of Mexican or South Western style homes and many people think that because stucco has so many nooks and crannies it is impossible to paint yourself but this is just simply not true. Painting stucco is very similar to painting a normal wall, with just a few subtle differences.

In this picture the texture of the stucco is plainly visible. Looking at this picture it is easy to see why the idea of painting stucco can be so daunting, because it seems like it would be very difficult to get complete coverage, but it’s really not as hard as you might think.

Getting Started

Before you put a fresh coat of paint over your stucco, there are some things you should keep in mind. First, although painting your home yourself will save you money (hiring a professional will likely cost somewhere between $500 and $600 while doing it yourself should only cost about $150) it will also take up a lot of your time which is also valuable. Some people may find that the trade off just isn’t worth it. As an estimate, count on taking at least 16 hours for a 1,000 square foot home, and that’s if you are a somewhat experienced painter. If you’ve never painted a wall before, it could take a lot longer.

Second, ordinary house paint will seal the pores on stucco and as the stucco expands and contracts, the paint will crack and water will be able to get inside. Before long, your home will be covered in patches of bare stucco which is very unattractive. To avoid this, make sure you use elastomeric paint, which is formulated especially for stucco. It will expand and contract with the stucco and resist cracking while also allowing moisture to get out.

Painting Your Home

The first thing you’re going to want to do is clean the dirt out of the crevasses in the stucco with a power washer and siding cleaner. Avoid blasting the wall with the power washer on high, as it could ruin the stucco; a gentle cleaning is all you need.
Next you will want to patch any cracks in the siding with an acrylic latex caulk or stucco mix to seal any openings. Prime the patched areas and let them dry before painting. If the stucco doesn’t already have paint on it, you will want to clean and prime the entire surface before beginning.

Apply the paint liberally with a good quality bristle brush or a thick masonry roller (the heavier the better). Keep in mind that because of all the texture, paint gets used up a lost faster on stucco so there’s a good chance you will use more paint than anticipated.

Dip your brush or roller into the paint and force it into the wall’s surface until it is completely covered. Make sure you push the paint into all of the little cracks and smooth it around as you go, painting just as you would any other wall.
Finally, when painting stucco your roller will often become filled with parts of the wall that have flaked off, and the nappier your brush is the more likely it is that this will happen. When the debris starts to build up and get in your way, it is probably best to replace the bush rather than try to wash it out.

If you live in Mesa Arizona and are thinking of painting your stucco home, let Bid Boomerang find a qualified painter in Mesa AZ to help you with your project. Get multiple quotes from pre-screened tradesmen today!