EXTRACURRICULAR OVERLOAD HOW TO DEMYSTIFY YOUR KIDS’ JAM- PACKED SCHEDULES
We’ve all been there. When the heating system fails, it doesn’t fail on a mild fall day. Instead, it “decides” to fail on the coldest day of the year. It’s no accident. When you run your heating system during the chilliest days, it tends to run for longer hours with higher output. This strain can lead to system failure. There is one easy thing every homeowner can do to ensure their heating system hums along during those frigid fall and winter days: annual inspections. Consider this. When the cold sets in, your heating system has been sitting idle for months. Countless things can go wrong during those months and you would never know. On top of that, more manufacturers are opting to not cover the warranties of heating systems that have been neglected or not serviced regularly. Why risk it? Our patented, annual inspection will diagnose any problems looming in your heating horizon, while ensuring your furnace is operating at peak efficiency. Our heating inspection checklist includes: How to Prepare for the Coming Months ARE YOU READY FOR THE WINDS OF WINTER?
As school starts up again, so do sports, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Managing their schedules can seem impossible, but don’t let yourself get burned out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind.
Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking strategies into one system. You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with a lighthouse on every page. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law. Form parent alliances. It’s vital that you and your partner coordinate availability and who’s driving who when, but you should go further than that. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and those teammates have parents shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools to manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. Maintain balance. This might come as a surprise, but you will have to say no to your child every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.
Check for gas leaks. Inspect fan and air filter assembly. Check proper operation of motors. Inspect pilot light or electronic ignition. Inspect burners. Clean and vacuum burner area.
Check proper operation and clearances of venting system. Check condensate line pump and secondary heat exchanger.
Visually inspect heat exchanger. Perform carbon monoxide test. Test gas pilot safety system. Test safety limit controls. Check electric controls and wiring. Check combustion and ventilation air supply. Check fan belt. Check hot water tank.
Don’t wait until the chill sets in. Ask us about our annual inspection, and let us make sure you have a warm, cozy winter.
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