You can be fully confident that the techs who arrive at your home will be fully qualified and prepared to work on your heating or cooling equipment. These techs will be ready to adjust to different challenges and circumstances.

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Microsoft

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Microsoft, one of the most famous and powerful corporations in the world, is largely based in Seattle. Microsoft has over 40,000 workers and more than a million square feet of office space.

Starbucks

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The next time you get that latte or mocha from Starbucks, remember that Starbucks began in Seattle. The very first opened in on March 30, 1971.

The Space Needle

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The Space Needle located in Seattle is a major landmark of the entire Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It was built for the 1962 World Fair during which some 20,000 people used the elevators per day. The Space Needle 605 feet high and 132 feet wide.

Rain

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Seattle is one of the rainiest cities in the entire world with an average annual rainfall of over 36 inches!

Seattle Mariners

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The Seattle Mariners are a very popular and beloved baseball franchise. Baseball greats such as Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki have played for the Mariners.

High Literacy

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Did you know that Seattle has consistently been ranked as one of the nation’s most literate cities over the last several years?

Grey’s Anatomy

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The popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy is set in Seattle, which adds to the overall sexiness of the city! This is a medical drama featuring a group of surgeons working in Seattle Grace Hospital.

Frasier

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Frasier is a very popular hit TV series featuring Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) that is set in Seattle!

Outdoor Activities and Fitness

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Seattle enjoys its reputation as being one of the fittest cities in America. With its mix of gorgeous hiking trails, steep hills and skiing spots, there is a tremendous love and passion for outdoor activities in Seattle.

Politically Left

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Seattle is one of the most left-leaning political cities in the country. 80 percent of Seattle voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election!

Montgomery Bus Boycott

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a 13-month protest ignited by the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955. Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for violating a Montgomery, Alabama law requiring racial segregation of buses. The Montgomery Bus Boycott culminated with the US Supreme Court ruling that the segregation on public buses is unconstitutional. The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) organized the boycott and its president, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would really gain national prominence. Protesters had to endure through the severe Alabama heat and near 100 degree temperatures.

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The Birmingham Campaign

The Birmingham Campaign was a massive two month protest movement led by King and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference to end discriminatory practices in Birmingham, Alabama. An example of a measure taken during the Birmingham Campaign was to boycott businesses that had segregated bathrooms. If businesses refused to alter policies, protesters organized sit-ins and marches. Protesters really had to endure a great deal during the Birmingham Campaign. In addition to the grueling Birmingham heat, protesters had to endure police brutality.

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March On Washington DC

August 28, 1963 is an epic day in American history. On this warm day in the nation’s capital, 250,000 gathered to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his eloquent “I have a dream” speech as a passionate vision of a future based on racial equality. In his speech, King memorably says, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The weather was very comfortable on this August day in the nation’s capital.

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While the claim that a mansion can be heated for only a few hundred dollars is far-fetched, there are steps that millionaires and billionaires can take to reduce the heating costs of their large homes. Energy efficiency, insulation and smart thermostats are vitally important. Bill Gates himself lives on an earth sheltered home that helps to minimize his heating bills.

Energy Efficiency

It is important for large homes and mansions to have energy efficient heating systems. The EPA strongly recommends that Energy Star be professionally installed in homes so that an appropriately sized unit is determined and then properly installed. The EPA has claimed that energy efficiency can be reduced by a whopping 30 percent if the installation is not done correctly.

Insulation

Insulation is very important to the heating of large homes and mansions, as well. Did you know that insulation can reduce heating costs by nearly 25 percent? Ceilings, walls, floors and heating ducts should all be insulated to see this reduction in energy costs. Insulation will prevent heat from escaping large homes and also keep the home more comfortable. In Bill Gates’ mansion, the soil acts as a kind of natural insulator on the sides of the homes.

Smart Thermostats

Large homes and mansions can benefit tremendously by having smart thermostats, which include digital and wireless thermostats. Digital thermostats should be placed in convenient locations in the mansion. These convenient devices allow homeowners to save time and money. Heat settings can be set for the future so that thermostats are scheduled when everyone is asleep. Also, those who are away from their home for extended periods of time can schedule this in their digital thermostat. Bill Gates actually takes advantage of a wireless thermostat to heat his mansion. It makes sense to have a wireless thermostat for convenience purposes in a large space, such as this.

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When we live in a world that relies so heavily on the use of heat, from the heat generated to run our cars, to the heat we use to run our homes, it is important to know the characteristics of heat, as well as the good and the bad.

First, heat is the energy an object has because of the movement of its atoms and molecules which are continuously jiggling and moving around, hitting each other and other objects. When we add energy to an object, its atoms and molecules move faster increasing its energy of motion or heat. Even objects which are very cold have some heat energy because their atoms are still moving.

Imagine you’re standing outside in the cold and you’ve forgotten your gloves, how do you warm your hands? By rubbing them together, you create a friction and as well as a jumbling of molecules that generate warmth. It may not last very long, but it will probably help you remember to bring your gloves next time.

The Good

There are many ways to heat your home. A furnace may be fueled with gas, electricity, oil, and even coal and wood. Technology today has provided advancements in geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy. As far as non-renewable energy sources, natural gas is one of the most affordable forms of energy available to the residential consumer, and it is 97% efficient.

Even though most homeowners are relatively limited in their options for heating fuels, in the Northeast, the choices are largely fuel oil or electricity, natural gas is becoming available to more homes. While, people in most of the rest of the country have natural gas and electricity as their main choices, those who live in rural areas may be limited to propane and wood as their choices for heating fuel.

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The good thing about heat is that the current cleanest fuel for heating your home comes right from the sun, and produces no pollution at all. Although for most homes, solar energy only supplements the main heating and cooling source, the Department of Energy is building homes that aim to consume net zero energy during the course of a year.

The Bad

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. If you’re living in an older home or a place with an older HVAC, you may be spending more money than you should to heat your home. Inefficient HVAC’s or problems can be the number one way to see higher utility bills, especially during those extra cold winter months.

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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.

How to deal with The Bad

Even though heating a home can be costly, there are at least six different ways to cut your spending. Homeowners and renters can save by turning the water heater down a few degrees, keeping the fireplace damper closed, using fans and curtains, turning down the thermostat at night and when gone during the day, and by keeping vents clear from rugs and furniture.

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As far as improving your heating system, either to be more economical or more environmental, it may take time and it may take money, but most improvements will be very beneficial in the long run.

1. Winter Solstice

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In the northern hemisphere, the first day of the winter season is the day of the year when the Sun is farthest south, normally on December 21^st or 22^nd. This day is known as the Winter Solstice. A common misconception is that the earth is further from the sun in winter than in summer, but the Earth is actually closest to the sun in December which is winter in the Northern hemisphere. The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, because the length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a minimum for the year. In the United States, there are only about 9½ hours of daylight on this day.

2. Boy that’s cold!

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The coldest temperature ever recorded in the world was -128 degrees Celsius, in Vostok Station in Antarctica in 1983.

3. Ice

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Black ice is extremely dangerous, because this type is difficult if not impossible to see. Black ice usually forms in a very thin, very slippery layer, and usually forms first on structures such as bridges. Much of the damage done by winter storms is not from snow, but from the weight of ice.

4. No Two Snowflakes are alike!

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Snowflakes start as ice crystals that freeze around small pieces of dust in the air. As they fall to the earth, the ice crystals join together to form snow flakes. The shape of each snowflake is determined by temperature, wind, the amount of time it takes to fall to the ground, and the amount of water vapor in the air.

5. The Largest Snowflake

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, on January 28, 1887, a 15 inch wide, 8 inch thick snowflake ever observed fell in Fort Keogh, Montana.

6. World’s Tallest Snowman

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It was built to bring attention to the Bethel, Maine area and allow the total community to come together for a project. The people of Bethel and the surrounding area worked 5 months to plan and build the 113 foot 7 inch tall snowman which broke the former record held by Yamagata, Japan of 96 feet 7 inches. At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 the record was officially broken. Two town officials, a regional photographer, a videographer, a licensed professional surveyor and the president of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to verify the actual size and height for the Guinness Book of World Records.

7. The Winter of 1779 – 1780

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It was so cold that ice was piled 20 feet high along the Delmarva Coast and stayed there until spring. The upper portion of the Chesapeake Bay and the entire Potomac River was frozen solid, allowing people to walk from Annapolis to Kent Island and from Alexandria in to D.C.

8. Snow

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The all-time world record for the largest snowfall in a single day was set in the United States on December 4, 1913, when Georgetown, Colorado received a staggering 63 inches of snow – more than five feet.

9. Seasonal Affective Disorder

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The “winter blues” were first diagnosed in 1984. And have recently been named seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D. According to the Mayo Clinic, Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

10. Chionophobia

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People with chionophobia are simply said to have a fear of snow. One of the largest components to this fear is the idea of becoming snowbound. A forecast calling for a snowstorm can bring on cold sweats, panic attacks, and even an unrealistic feeling of doom and dread. People with chionophobia will rarely venture out into the snow for fear of being stranded as well.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. The main reason that indoor air can reach this level is due to ventilation. Homes that are not well ventilated contain the most indoor air pollution.

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If you think you’re not at risk, consider these sources of indoor pollutants:

• Household cleaning products
• Central heating and cooling systems
• Radon
• Air fresheners
• Combustion sources
• Personal care products like hair spray, nail polish, perfume, and nail polish remover
• Hobby materials including glue, paints, paint stripper
• Pesticides
• Cigarettes

Improve Your Air Quality

Minimize the source of pollutants by avoiding the use of pesticides, chemical cleaners, and air fresheners in your home. Look to use non-toxic, low-VOC or zero-VOC paints if remodeling or repainting.

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Fresh air is hard to circulate in winter, so consider using a window or attic fan, kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan, or a window air conditioner unit to increase ventilation. If you live in a location with mild winter days, briefly open windows or doors to freshen the air and eliminate built-up toxins from carpets, dust, and poor air circulation.

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Keep the humidity level in your home between 30% to 60% to prevent dust mites, mold and mildew from growing rampant. If your furnace doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, keep a cool mist humidifier in the bedrooms or place a bowl of water on the floor near warm air registers. This will help to prevent brittle skin, nails, and hair as well as help keep nasal passages clear; problems that tend to arise in over-heated, dry conditions.

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Regular cleaning, dusting and vacuuming, will also keep biological air pollutants to a minimum. Consider a bagless vacuum and try to do household cleaning at least once a week.

The Great Snow of 1717

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This snow storm consisted of several storms that dropped more than five feet of snow on the New England and New York Colonies between late February and early March. After the last storm had passed in early March, many homes were buried past the first floor and single-story homes were left completely covered. Snowdrifts piled up over the third story of some buildings, shutting roads down for weeks.

These storms were especially brutal to livestock and agriculture. Many animals were killed, and trees were damaged by grazers who were left vulnerable due to the piled up snow. As much as 95 percent of all deer in New England were estimated to have died because of these storms.

The Great Blizzard of 1888 and The Children’s Blizzard

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In March of 1888, three days of heavy snow fell in the entire northeastern United States. On the fourth day, when the snow stopped and the sun started to shine, some states were left with snowdrifts as high as 50 feet. Everything was shut down for more than a week.

Houses burned due to snow-locked fire trucks and hundreds of people died from the cold. Even after spring appeared to be making its appearance, floods created by the snowmelt created havoc. The best thing to come from this storm was the creation of the first underground subway system in Boston.

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The Children’s Blizzard blasted the American Plains on January 12, 1888. It had its greatest impact on children in portions of Nebraska and South Dakota, causing a high proportion of children to be numbered among the storm’s victims. Winds accompanying the storm whipped snow into the air, limiting visibility to near zero which made even the shortest journey difficult at best. But the real killer in this storm was the frigid air advancing behind the low pressure system.

The Great Blizzard of 1899

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This blizzard began small in Florida, dumping a few flakes on Tampa in February of that year. Soon blizzard-like conditions were seen all along the west coast Florida. Moving north, the storm brought plummeting temperatures and more snow. Cape May, N.J. saw an astounding 34 inches of snow.

This storm is also known for bringing temperatures to low-29 degrees in Miami and damaging crops in Cuba.

The Great Lakes Storm of 1913

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At the beginning of the twentieth century, a storm blew through in November and caused more than 250 deaths. Known as “The Big Blow” and “Freshwater Fury,” four days of storms destroyed and stranded 19 ships, and caused the modern equivalent of several hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

The storm raged for more than 16 hours with winds as high as 90 mph. When it ended, citizens were left to dig out from beneath six-foot snowdrifts. Shipping companies began to design more stable ships and towns along the Great Lakes looked for ways to protect or bury utility cables to protect them from severe weather in the future.

Armistice Day Blizzard

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In early November 1940, the day started out unseasonably warm but as night fell, conditions deteriorated. In the Midwestern U.S., winds reached 80 mph, and snowfall totals up to 27 inches were recorded. At least 145 deaths were attributed to the storm, with half of them being duck hunters who were caught outdoors during the storm. Twenty-foot snowdrifts made it impossible to seek shelter.

The U.S. Weather Bureau was criticized for not having predicted the storm and changes were made so that Chicago would be in full operation 24 hours a day and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul offices were upgraded to be able to issue forecasts as well.

Iran Blizzard

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The world’s worst blizzard in terms of death occurred in Iran of February of 1972 with estimated 4,000 – 5,000 deaths during a storm that lasted a week. Although little information was recorded about this blizzard, contemporary reports said that whole communities were wiped out with the city of Ardakan  there were no survivors in the cities of Kakkan and Kumar. In the northwest, near the border of Turkey, the village of Sheklab and its 100 inhabitants were buried by up to eight meters of snow.

Great Blizzard of 1978

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A two-day blizzard hit the New England and New York metropolitan areas in February of 1978. In many places, the snow fell for a solid 33 hours. Billions of dollars worth of damages and hundreds of deaths were left in the end. In Massachusetts, thousands of ill-informed workers were stranded in their offices for days afterwards, and some others were trapped in cars along the side of the road.

The storm happened to occur during a new moon, which created a stronger tide, further exacerbating the damages to seaside communities. Homes, streets, and businesses were washed away by giant waves.

Storm of the Century 1978

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Known as the ’93 Superstorm, the United States saw two days of hurricane winds, tornadoes, and a blizzard that ravaged the east coast. Massive accumulations of snow even appeared in Florida. Buildings were destroyed, tornadoes raged, and lightning strikes caused more than $10 billion in damage. This storm will most likely be remembered as the Big One.

Quebec Ice Storm 1998

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For six days in January, freezing rain fell in Ontario,Quebec, and New Brunswick. Whereas most freezing rain lasts for a few hours, this storm saw more than 80 hours of freezing rain, nearly double the annual average. Trees and hydro wires fell and utility poles and transmission towers came down causing massive power outages, some lasting as long as a month. To date, it is the most expensive natural disaster in Canada.

Lhunze County 2008

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Tibet is already known for bitterly cold weather in the winter, as it is home to some of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest. Still the snow storm that hit this county in October of 2008 was a shock to many citizens.

Chinese officials reported up to 59 inches of snow depth as some villages saw continuous snow for 36 hours. Only seven deaths were reported, however many buildings collapsed from the amount of snow. Rescue crews fought to clear roads and bring food and aid to those trapped by the storm. The unforgiving storm had detrimental economic effects as local farmers were forced to sell or slaughter large parts of their livestock.

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Whether you’re decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or your own holiday tradition, remember to follow these tips to keep your home and family safe, and your utility bill low.

When deciding on lights to decorate your home, there are mainly two choices (unless you’re going to start counting mini-bulbs): incandescent lights and LED lights. Research has shown that even though LED lights can be more costly upfront, at least $10-$15 more than incandescents, they are the best choice in the long run.

LED lights use less energy, which can mean savings of $1 to $11, depending on how many lights you are using and how often they are used. They are also more durable, even after 4,000 plus hours of use, however, incandescents generally lose their brilliance within 2,000 hours.

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Other benefits to using LED’s include the fact that they are better for the environment, they don’t have glass covers or filaments that can break, and they run much cooler, reducing risk of fire. The only way that incandescents stack up is in brightness, normally five to six times brighter than the LED’s.

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Safety rules to remember about lights:

According to Consumer Reports:

• Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires each year that result in 14 deaths.
• Make sure the lights’ wire has a holographic “UL Listed” tag.
• Discard any strings with broken sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
• Plug no more than three strings of lights into an extension cord.
• Turn off holiday lights when you leave home or go to bed.

Lower the thermostat

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Most energy companies will advise homeowners to set the thermostat to 68 degrees. This will prevent the heating system from overworking. Turn it down 5 degrees when not at home or at night, and an additional $70 can be saved each year. Also remember to keep the thermostat constant. Continuously adjusting the thermostat can cause inefficiencies and higher costs.

Set the water heater

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If the water heater is adjusted to 120 degrees, it won’t have to work as hard as it would at a higher temperature. Each time the temperature is lowered 10 degrees Fahrenheit, 3 – 5 % can be saved on water heating costs. If the temperature control settings only offer low, medium, or high: use whichever setting will keep the water warm enough for home use.

Sunlight

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Just because our days are shorter, doesn’t mean the sun can’t offer help. Take advantage of Mother Nature and open window coverings on south-facing windows to warm your home. Remember to close them at night to retain heat. Close the window coverings in rooms that receive no direct sunlight to insulate from cold window drafts.

Cold water

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Not only does washing clothes in cold water prevent colors from bleeding, but according to Energy Star, using cold water to wash clothes can save about $40 a year with an electric water heater and about $30 with a gas water heater.

Insulation

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While these first tips were all no-cost suggestions, insulation is a smart way to keep big bills away. The easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate the home is to add insulation in the attic; however unfinished basement walls and crawl spaces can also be insulated to help trap heat. When insulation is correctly installed and the home is completely weatherized, the average savings can amount to up to 20% of the total heating and cooling costs.