Winter’s chill can bring more than just frosty mornings—it can also wreak havoc on your plumbing. Frozen pipes are not only inconvenient but can lead to costly damage if they burst. Fortunately, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping your pipes safe as temperatures drop. Follow these simple tips to protect your home and avoid plumbing headaches this winter season.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating pipes in unheated areas helps retain heat and keeps the water flowing. Tip: Use foam pipe insulation or heat tape, and make sure to cover all exposed pipes thoroughly.

2. Seal Cracks and Gaps

Cold air seeping through cracks and gaps in walls or foundations can lower the temperature around your pipes, increasing the risk of freezing. Tip: Check for any gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter your home. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these openings.

3. Let Faucets Drip

Allowing a small trickle of water to flow through your faucets can prevent pressure from building up in your pipes, which is a common cause of bursts when they freeze. Tip: On particularly cold nights, leave the faucets farthest from your water source slightly open.

4. Keep Your Home Warm

Maintaining a consistent temperature inside your home, even in unoccupied areas, reduces the likelihood of pipes freezing. Tip: Set your thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C) during cold weather, even when you're away from home.

5. Open Cabinet Doors

Pipes located under sinks or in cabinets can benefit from the warmth of your home’s interior when cabinet doors are left open. Tip: Open the doors to your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.

6. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Water left in outdoor hoses can freeze and expand, causing connected indoor pipes to burst. Tip: Disconnect and drain all garden hoses, and consider installing frost-proof spigots.

7. Drain Your Pipes

Draining water from pipes that are unlikely to be used in the winter, such as those supplying outdoor faucets, removes the risk of freezing. Tip: Shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain the lines by opening the faucet and allowing any remaining water to escape.

8. Know Where Your Main Shut-Off Valve Is

In case of an emergency, such as a pipe burst, knowing how to quickly shut off the water supply can prevent extensive water damage. Tip: Make sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to use it.

When temperatures hit their peak—whether scorching hot or freezing cold—an HVAC system failure can feel like an emergency. Stay calm and follow these steps to keep your family safe and comfortable until help arrives.

1. Check Your Thermostat and Power Source

Why? Sometimes, the issue may be a simple fix.

Tip: Ensure your thermostat is set correctly and check your breaker box for tripped circuits. Replace thermostat batteries if needed.

2. Seal Off Your Home

Why? Reducing heat or cold loss can maintain indoor temperatures longer.

Tip: Close doors, windows, and blinds to prevent outside air from coming in. Use rolled-up towels at the base of doors for extra insulation.

3. Dress for the Weather

Why? Layering can help you retain body heat or stay cool in a pinch.

Tip: During winter, wear warm layers, socks, and hats. In summer, dress in light, breathable fabrics and stay hydrated.

4. Use Alternative Heating or Cooling Safely

Why? Improper use of heaters or fans can be dangerous.

Tip: Use portable heaters with safety features, keeping them away from flammable materials. For cooling, use fans and cold compresses. Never use stoves or ovens to heat your home.

5. Call a Professional

Why? DIY fixes can sometimes worsen the problem.

Tip: Reach out to an HVAC professional immediately. We’re here to help, even during extreme weather.

6. Plan Ahead for Next Time

Why? Preparation can minimize future risks.

Tip: Regular HVAC maintenance can help prevent unexpected failures. Schedule your seasonal tune-up to ensure your system is ready for extreme temperatures.

Your comfort and safety are our priority. If your HVAC system fails, don’t hesitate to give us a call—we’ll get things running smoothly again.

The holiday season is all about lighting up your home with festive cheer, but keeping safety in mind is crucial. Follow these quick tips to ensure your holiday decorating stays merry and bright:

1. Inspect Your Decorations

• Why: Worn wires or broken bulbs can cause fires.
• Tip: Check for frayed wires, loose connections, or damaged bulbs. Replace any faulty items before use.

2. Use the Right Lights in the Right Places

• Why: Indoor lights aren't built for outdoor weather conditions.
• Tip: Use outdoor-rated lights and extension cords for outside decorations.

3. Avoid Overloading Outlets

• Why: Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause fires.
• Tip: Use surge protectors and spread your decorations across multiple outlets.

4. Choose GFCI Outlets for Outdoors

• Why: GFCI outlets help prevent electrical shocks in damp environments.
• Tip: Plug all outdoor decorations into GFCI outlets.

5. Keep Decorations Dry

• Why: Water and electricity are a dangerous mix.
• Tip: Place outdoor decorations away from wet areas, and keep indoor ones clear of sinks and bathtubs.

6. Turn Off When Unattended

• Why: Leaving lights on when you're not home increases fire risk.
• Tip: Use timers to automatically turn off decorations when you’re away or asleep.

7. Keep Flammables Away

• Why: Decorations near flammable materials can ignite easily.
• Tip: Opt for LED lights, which produce less heat, and keep them clear of curtains and paper.

Decorating safely ensures a worry-free holiday season for you and your family. ✨

Yes- Fall is the best time to replace your HVAC… but WHY?

Many people may not realize it, but fall is a great time to replace your HVAC system. So, if you’ve been thinking about replacing it, here are just a few of the reasons why now is the best time:

1) Fall is a slower season for HVAC companies. Due to the generally moderate weather, HVAC companies typically receive less emergency calls during the fall. This means that they generally have more time in their schedule to discuss your HVAC upgrade or replacement options and more openings for convenient system installation appointments.

2) The temperature is more moderate in fall. If you replace your HVAC system in the fall, you can enjoy more moderate temperatures during the installation process. Waiting until your system breaks down runs the risk of more extreme temperatures- in other words, you chance going without air conditioning or heat during times of the year when you need it most.

3) You can enjoy energy efficiency in the new year. As your HVAC system becomes old and outdated, it starts working harder to keep your home comfortable, which wastes a lot of energy. By replacing your system in the fall, right before you will use it full-time in winter, you can benefit from increased energy efficiency and save more on your electricity bill in the coming new year.

Want to replace that old unit? Just give us a call at 501-PRECISE (501-773-2473)

With so many food particles swirling around, your dishwasher is bound to pick up some unwanted scents over time. Follow these four steps to clear the air and banish foul smells.

1) empty your dishwasher

2) pour 2 cups vinegar and run an empty cycle and let it get to work

3) add essential oil to the vinegar to give it a fresh scent

4) repeat this process 4 times a year- once each season

Plumbing problems can be a real nightmare and if you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve had to deal with a plumbing problem at some point. We know. Heck, even the most season of our technicians sometimes shake their heads in disbelief at what they see, so we can clearly understand how overwhelming it can be when you find yourself in the middle of a plumbing issue. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix some common plumbing problems yourself. This article will give you some tips on how to fix a few common and unexpected plumbing problems.

Handling a Basic Leak:

• Is water coming from a pipe? If the answer is yes turn off the electricity supply.
• Next, turn off the main water supply.
• Get your tools ready and wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.

Handling a Basic Blockage:

• Remove any obstruction then investigate the plumbing issues by lifting the central hole and examining it.
• Be sure to turn the rod clockwise while working – if you turn it counterclockwise, it will unscrew and get caught in the drain- leading to another plumbing problem and a possible plumbing nightmare.

Unclogging your Toilet:

• Make sure you have a few essentials ready — rubber gloves, bleach, and drain flusher.
• Next, locate the blockage and using your gloves remove the blockage if possible.

Stop your Toilet from Running Constantly:

• To stop a running toilet, remove the lid to examine the issue
• Flush the toilet and check the water level.
• If you still haven’t found the problem, check to see if the flapper valve is open and not covering the valve. If the valve is uncovered simply reach into the tank to adjust it.

Spring is here and with it comes spring cleaning, and ensuring your HVAC is prepared for the hot weather that is always inevitable in Arkansas.

Here are a few hints from Precise Heating, Air and Electrical Inc. to help guarantee your HVAC prepared:

1. Schedule maintenance for your HVAC system.
Preventative maintenance will help your system last longer. When you maintain your AC properly you save money and help your HVAC system perform better.

2. Invest in a programmable thermostat.
These days digital thermostats can be programmed from almost anywhere… even your phone but more importantly they give you the ability to control the temperature in your home while you are away. This saves you money.

3. Clean Your HVAC.
Outside units need love too. Periodically checking the HVAC units outdoors to make sure the coils are clear of dirt and debris helps. This simple action helps your system to run more efficiently.

4. Filters are your best friend.
Changing your air filters is essential to the health of your air conditioner. When you change the old filters and replace them the result is cleaner air. Replacing filters not only keeps the dirt out and improves indoor air quality, but it also allows your system to work more efficiently.

5. Insulate and prevent air leaks.
Any air leaks in your home can cause your HVAC system to run more often than needed. Sealing these leaks can save you money.

6. Dirty Vents and Registers are a no-no
Keeping vents and registers free of excess dust, particles and other allergens that can build up in the home (i.e., your pet’s hair) helps improve the efficiency of your unit.

7. Inspect condensation lines.
A condensation line is a drip line coming from your HVAC unit. A dripping line could not only cause drainage issues in your home. A simple inspection of this line each season can help save you from higher utility bills.

Precise Heating, Air and Electrical Inc. is here to help you with all your HVAC installation and maintenance needs. We offer not only first-class service but maintenance plans to help you get the most life out of your air conditioning system.