November 22, 2012
A Good Idea Wherever You Find Fuel-Burning AppliancesIf you use any fuel-burning appliances inside your home, it's a good idea to install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to assure the safety of you and your loved ones. CO is a gaseous byproduct of incomplete combustion, and when you breath it in, your blood picks up the CO instead of oxygen. Eventually, it can suffocate you and any other air-breathing creatures inside your home.  The symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Eventually, after inhaling CO long enough, loss of consciousness occurs, resulting in death. Furthermore, people with heart conditions have a lower tolerance for CO and may experience distress before others do. CO is odorless and colorless, and it comes from fuel-burning furnaces, boilers, gas stoves, fireplaces, and even your attached garage (if you house fuel-burning items inside it, like your car). CO detectors are the first line of defense against this toxic gas. Monitors can be hard-wired into your home, and most of these have periodic readouts that show the amount of CO present. Battery-operated CO detectors work as well to alert you of dangerous CO levels in your home's indoor air, but you need to check the batteries monthly, as they wear out quickly. Each level of your home should have a CO detector, but if you're watching the budget, placing the first one in the hallway beside the master bedroom is the best way to get started. CO rises, so the detector should be at eye-level or higher. Avoid placing detectors too close to humid areas, like bathrooms or the kitchen. Additionally, place the CO detector at least 10 feet away from appliances that use fuel. Although having a CO detector in your home alerts you when the CO levels get too high, the best way to handle the CO issue is to keep your fuel-burning appliances running properly in the first place. The furnace or heating system should be serviced annually, which includes safety checks for gas leaks and dangerous emissions. If you'd like more information about CO detectors, or other home-comfort issues, contact Russell's Heating & Cooling. We've provided HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) services for the Hampton Roads area for more than 35 years. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about CO detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Image courtesy of Shutterstock  

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Russell's HVAC, HVAC service technician, VA

Regular annual maintenance keeps your system operating at peak efficiency. Experience has shown that a system that runs well keeps your utility costs in line — in fact, independent 3rd party research shows that you can save over $30 per month on utility bills.

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What Our Customers Are Saying

  • I can't complement your team enough on the wonderful job done with regard to the installation of the new system in our home. More specifically, we want to recognize the outstanding efforts of: Roberto-- the initial visit and diagnosis of the problem.

    Dan & Connie, Virginia Beach

  • I recently had your team install a new gas package unit including all new duct work at my house in Chesapeake. I had a split system that had undersized ducting which was removed by your installers.

    Mike & Sandi, Chesapeake, VA

  • We purchased a one time service for $79. They came out on time, checked out the geothermal system...they were very professional and kind.

    Nicholas H., Chesapeake, VA

  • We would like to thank your company for an excellent job. We are very pleased with the new (Mitsubishi ductless mini split) system that was installed last week. It works wonderfully at heating our home.

    Danny and Teresa S., Chesapeake, VA

  • Not one single idea for improvement. Keep doing what you do. OUTSTANDING!

    Charles J., Norfolk, VA

  • Great job!...World class employees!

    Colleen & Jim C., Suffolk, VA

  • Everything went great! This is the second big project we've had done through Russell's and we couldn't be more happy! We had the most dedicated, polite, and respectful crew! The team consisted of Elliot, Chase and Sean. Sean was here for the removal process on day one, and did awesome!

    J. Luhan, VA Beach

  • Hi Nate, please pass along our appreciation for you, Elliot and Steve. We are very happy with you being able to arrange our ( Lennox ) replacement system so quickly!

    T. Johnson, VA Beach

  • Thank you for running a top notch company and sending over to us two excellent folks Terry and Shawn. They did an awesome job putting in our new furnace system. Also thank you for Donald and Nate who did a superb job as well. Please reward these guys with some sort of commendations or rewards....

  • ...folks need to know how wonderful working with Russell's Heating & Air Conditioning is. They were very professional all the way thru the process of getting our unit installed down to the payment plan. I have been telling our neighbors and my co-workers about the experience.

    Pamela F., Chesapeake, VA

  • Every moment from the time an appointment was set up until the day the work was completed was a pleasure. Every employee was a delight to work with. The proof that the product was great came when the electric bills started coming in the airconditioning season.

    Douglas P., VA Beach

  • I am extremely satisfied with both the Lennox unit I purchased and the employees of Russell's. Even with poor window and door quality in this overly tired house, I am actually cooled off sufficiently enough to call it chilly.

    Robin W., Chesapeake, VA

  • Over the years I have gained the utmost trust in my service technician Corey Lesko's knowledge and work ethic while servicing my system.

  • I am writing this letter to commend your company on a great job! We were very pleased with how the company performed in every area...the installers did an impeccable job. They were very knowledgeable, efficient, and hard workers—staying focused to the task in the extreme heat.

    Pastor Larry E. O'Brien, Churchland Assembly of God

  • A year ago, I contracted with Russell's to tune up and clean the heating and cooling system. How impressively your specialist cleaned my system...he also found a defective automatic (programmable) thermostat. Quite quickly, he replaced my automatic thermostat. The results?

    R. Snider, Norfolk, VA

  • You recently installed a new Trane unit for us. We want you to know we are completely satisfied. The outside unit is now a hum versus the roar of the old one...we also want to recognize the installer...we cannot overstate what we think of his workmanship.

    K. Hawkins, Portsmouth, VA

  • Great and prompt service – as usual. Everything from ordering the a/c unit to installation went smoothly. Thanks for everything.

    B. Fenstermaker, VA Beach

  • Everyone was very nice. I felt well informed about my purchase. Your staff is great! I don't usually return opinion forms, but you need to know you have a staff you can be proud of!

    V. Horn, Chesapeake, VA

  • You have a new customer for life and I will definitely tell all my friends about your prompt, courteous service, your knowledgeable technicians, and your very reasonable prices. Thank you very much Russell's. You warmed much more than just my heart!

    G. Knoop, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your company was very responsive to my needs. The quality of your work was extremely high.

    Ms. Bright, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your workers actually made this total replacement project an enjoyable learning experience...they were always willing to stop and answer any questions. Their pleasant and cooperative attitudes cannot be praised enough!

    J. Wellons, Portsmouth, VA

  • Very pleased with both the price and service. The installation went off without a hitch and everything exceeded our expectations. When finished, the work areas, including the attic, were so clean you couldn't tell anything had been done.

    T. Marsh, VA Beach

  • Great expertise and timely service.

    H. Turbeville, Chesapeake, VA