Posted on: 11:13 pm, January 23, 2014, by Mary Pulley, updated on: 11:15pm, January 23, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Weve been lucky so far as snow and ice go, but the cold? Not so much. The ups and downs of the mercury are taking their toll on metro houses.

The recent fluctuation in temperatures this winter means that your home repair list could get a little longer. A pristine metro neighborhood doesnt reveal the war Mother Nature has been waging, with this cold, then warm, then cold again winter.

Temperature fluctuations are already causing problems in a house we visited, starting with a crack in the garage that doesnt stop anywhere close. It goes all the way into an internal room where tiles have shifted.

David Pierce, owner of Handyman Matters, explained that many of the materials your home is made of simply cant handle a fast temperature changes. Thats why you may start seeing everything from gaps around your house foundation to cracks in the walls and ceilings.

We noticed the separation between the wall and the concrete slab out there, and it comes through, and you can start to see drywall joints are starting to pop loose and create some separation, Pierce said.

Pierce said there could also be problems with your pipes.

Really, its just the water that freezes up in the pipes. If you have some joints that may have not been put together properly to begin with they can come apart, he said.

And outdoors, near the heating and cooling unit, quick-changing temperatures could shrink the caulk, which keeps the unit air-tight.

If you dont stay on top of that and it creates a big gap, it allows in a lot of air and youll see a lot of expansion and contraction with that type of caulk, Pierce said.

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Temperature fluctuations testing durability of metro homes

Amid a few newsworthy derailments of trains carrying crude oil, energy companies and the public alike are concerned about the future of the U.S. rail infrastructure and what can be done in the near future to mitigate potentially serious and deadly incidents. With some 140,000 route-miles of track in the U.S. as of 2011, and thousands of bridges spanning rivers or interstates that must be navigated on a daily basis, there are countless points of failure.

Civil engineers have long been aware of the way that seasonal heating and cooling can affect the very structure of the railroad ties via expansion and contraction, particularly near bridges. To mitigate those affects, engineers have been using expansion joints on bridges, but when it comes to the extreme heat that much of the continental U.S. sees on an annual basis, its difficult to engineer a system that can withstand as much as four feet of expansion in a mile-long section of rail.

When this happens, the rail can buckle, a phenomenon known in the industry as a sun kink, which are leading causes of train derailments. In the winter, extreme bouts of cold can cause enough contraction to crack ties and pull them apart, to the point where they need to be warmed by up using flaming rope or other methods.

Naturally, the companies that manufacture steel tracks are doing more work to pre-stress rails and joints to minimize these affects. But one company, Alliance Sensors Group, argues that while many engineers within railway companies and mass transit agencies are doing good work to instrument bridges for movement, structural problems or track shifting, many of these inspections are visually-based, and not often enough, which leaves routes open to unnoticed flaws.

Instead, the bridges can be instrumented to determine if there are any flaws in the tracks, which means that railway companies could divert trains and repair the issues before an incident, such as a derailment, takes place.

Alliance Sensors Group has developed a linear sensor that can measure bridge movements and create empirical data on the condition of rails and bridges that can be tracked in real-time. Theyre able to survive all the elements that leave railways buckling or cracking, such as extreme cold and heat, along with humidity, rain and snow. An IP67 rating guarantees that it wont succumb to the elements.

In the photo, the company's LV-45s have been affixed to the pier and to the bridge using ball joint swivel rodends. With this in place, the system can measure positional changes in three axes and track those changes over time, which means engineers can proactively identify potential problems, or, in the worst case, respond faster to potential derailment incidents. And if that means less trains coming off the tracks, were completely onboard.

Excerpt from:
One Solution To Ending Train Derailments

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 21, 2014

Bardi Heating, Cool and Plumbing, an Atlanta HVAC repair company, relocated to a larger office in December 2013. The office is located in East Norcross, GA within metro Atlanta. Prior to the transition, the company was situated in a smaller office several blocks away from the new location. The move will positively impact clients as well. Staff growth will result in more appointment availability and increased work performance.

The new office is housed in a single-story building on Peachtree Corners. The interior is dressed in calm, neutral colors. This larger office area provides the staff a myriad of benefits. The expansive space allows staff to spread out, yielding quieter working spaces. The larger space also affords Bardi the opportunity to expand staffing in the future and hire more employees.

The new office features a larger training room, conference room and meeting spaces, as well as a spacious break room for the staff outfitted with new appliances. The office includes a new Honeywell smart thermostat, which Bardi recommends and installs in homes across Atlanta. The bigger office space also provides ample storage for more parts, pieces, and tools of the trade.

The new office is a generous space for our company to grow into, said Gresham Ard, the residential general manager at Bardi. Our staff can spread out and really focus on work because its quieter. We have a lot of opportunities to expand storage and staffing, as well.

Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing is a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company in Atlanta. Founded in 1989 by Alex and Susan Bardi, the company has been providing the Atlanta area with quality HVAC services for almost 25 years. Bardi also offers plumbing repairs and services, and is home to an experienced management team as well as an outstanding team of NATE certified technicians, whose number one priority is to keep their customers satisfied by always, always, always doing the right thing. For more information about Bardi, please visit bardi.com.

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Atlanta HVAC Company Recently Relocated to Larger Office

Hvac | Furnace | (626) 225-0388 LA PUENTE, Air Conditioning Service LA PUENTE, ca 91746
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By: James Brown

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Hvac | Furnace | (626) 225-0388 LA PUENTE, Air Conditioning Service LA PUENTE, ca 91746 - Video

HVACs | Furnace | La Habra, Air Conditioning Service La Habra,Ca
Air conditioning service - (562) 228-1911 we offer air conditioning service in La Habra , CA. our HVACs air conditioning service includes the following: furn...

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HVACs | Furnace | La Habra, Air Conditioning Service La Habra,Ca - Video

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) January 17, 2014

While southern and central Arizona residents may not see the frigid cold common to New York right now, northern Arizonas cities boast low digits, necessitating properly-functioning heating equipment. HVAC Education urged Arizona homeowners to prepare for winter heat shortages. This encouragement came on the heels of the January 7th New York Times article, entitled For Some Tenants, Only Thing Heating Up is a Temper. The article identified a New York apartment building suffering from severe heating shortagesshortages that are not being addressed by the apartment manager. Fortunately, homeowners have greater control over heating issues than renters, and can ensure that heating components are in peak condition before facing winter storms.

John Lelands article revealed the poor living conditions suffered by some New York residents who are forced to live without heat. Each of the residents, members of a single apartment building, has undergone severe heating shortages that have not yet been addressed by the building owner. Tenants suffering from illnesses are further aggravated by the cold, and do not see an end to their pain in sight.

While many apartment residents are at the mercy of their landlords, HVACED.com believes that Arizona homeowners should take care to have their heating systems inspected by professionals with the proper HVAC education and training requirements in Arizona. A professional can identify any problems present in a heating system, HVAC Education explains, as well as locating any potentially problematic issues. HVAC Education recommends that a once-yearly inspection be used to maintain a well-functioning machine, as well as prevent the development of new issues. HVAC Education has found that the service typically boasts a small price tagparticularly in comparison to the replacement of an entire unit. HVAC ED adds that in addition, this service is typically short in duration and can be the difference between a warm winter and a frigid one.

John Leland is a staff writer for the New York Times. His work focuses on local news, ranging from entertainment news to opinion pieces.

Following the identification of one New York apartment buildings failure to adequately provide for tenants, HVAC Education urged homeowners to take adequate care of their heating and cooling equipment to avoid similar issues. Many heating concerns can readily be alleviated by a yearly maintenance appointment, designed to repair any small issues with equipment and prevent the further development of any large equipment troubles. These check-ups can be performed by any HVAC professional. Check with local HVAC companies to determine the best fit.

About HVACED.com HVACED.com, or Arizona HVAC Education, is an online resource for consumers and potential HVAC students alike, offering both tips for optimum HVAC system use and information regarding HVAC education and training.

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HVAC Education Urged Arizona Homeowners to Prepare for Winter Heat Shortages

Dear Annie: My brother, "William," recently passed away in his sleep. His passing came as a shock to everyone. He wasn't ill or showing any indication that something was wrong. We suspect it was a heart attack.

However, the real tragedy of his passing is that William and his two children had been estranged for more than 19 years. When I called his son and daughter to inform them of their father's passing, I could tell that they certainly felt the loss, and they also understood that any opportunity for reconciliation was now lost forever. All the years of anger and resentment suddenly appeared senseless.

I do not know the reasons for the estrangement, but I can place blame on William, as well as his children, because all of them were adamant that they were "right" about the way they felt. I had discussions with my brother, but he was never ready to open up communication with his kids. I also met with my niece in the hope of persuading her to phone her father and try to talk things out. She didn't. And her brother declined to talk to me about it.

Whatever wounds they had incurred had not healed, and there was no change of heart. With their father's passing, they will now have to cope with their inaction for the rest of their lives.

Please pass my letter along to your readers. Life is too short to harbor ill feelings and resentment, especially with loved ones. God gave us the blessing of children. Parents and children should not toss this blessing aside for what turns out to be in hindsight some perceived slight or miscommunication.

Mourning My Brother

Dear Mourning: Our sincere condolences for the loss of your brother. We hope your letter serves as a heartbreaking warning. People often think they have limitless time to fix relationships, but you never know what will happen. If someone is important to you, work it out. Talk it through. Get an unbiased third party to mediate if necessary, but don't let it fester until it's too late.

Dear Annie: I am a heating and cooling professional. In the past month, I have gone into many homes to repair their furnaces. Several times, the only problem I found was faulty batteries in their digital thermostats.

Please inform your readers that spending five dollars and replacing their thermostat batteries could save them an $80-$100 service call from their heating contractor. They should change these batteries every year. Perhaps next fall, when they are thinking about Thanksgiving or buying holiday gifts, they could pick up some extra batteries as a gift to themselves.

Staying Warm in South Dakota

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Life is too short to harbor resentment

By Johnny Tubbs / Energy saving columnist

You rely on your homes HVAC system throughout the year, and regular maintenance is essential to keep it running smoothly and guarantee your comfort. If youre debating whether a preventive maintenance agreement is worth the investment, consider the following benefits:

Save money on both annual upkeep and necessary repairs The cost of a maintenance agreement is often comparable to paying for just two seasonal HVAC tuneups. When you factor in the repair discount thats part of an annual contract, youll come out ahead.]]>

Enjoy priority service Does it seem that whenever your HVAC system needs repair, theres a long line of customers ahead of you? Thats because breakdowns typically occur when homeowners first start up their systems for the season. When you have a preventive maintenance agreement, youre put at the head of the line, so youre not left out in the cold, or the heat and humidity.]]>

Extend the life of your HVAC system Your homes heating and cooling is a mechanical system that needs regular maintenance to reach its true useful life span. Given the high cost of replacement, it just makes sense to maintain your current system to the best of your ability.]]>

Experience fewer breakdowns and need fewer expensive repairs During routine maintenance visits, your HVAC technician can spot and correct small issues, subsequently preventing them from escalating into larger, most costly repairs.]]>

Lower monthly utility bills Well-maintained HVAC equipment is more efficient, and therefore it uses less electricity. Since your system runs continuously throughout many months of the year, even small adjustments and improvements in its operation can have a big impact on your annual electric expenses.]]>

Maximize your systems cooling and heating capacity Regular maintenance can reverse a systems lost capacity. Instead of dealing with heating or air conditioning that barely puts out enough warm or cool air to keep you comfortable, you can reap the benefits of your HVAC systems full capacity.]]>

For more information on the benefits of a preventive maintenance agreement, contact Conroe Air. We proudly service the heating and cooling needs of homeowners throughout Montgomery County. Visit http://www.conroeair.com or call 1-888-904-3378.

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Preventative maintenance: 6 reasons an agreement is beneficial

DEAR ANNIE: My brother, "William," recently passed away in his sleep. His passing came as a shock to everyone. He wasn't ill or showing any indication that something was wrong. We suspect it was a heart attack.

However, the real tragedy of his passing is that William and his two children had been estranged for more than 19 years. When I called his son and daughter to inform them of their father's passing, I could tell that they certainly felt the loss, and they also understood that any opportunity for reconciliation was now lost forever. All the years of anger and resentment suddenly appeared senseless.

I do not know the reasons for the estrangement, but I can place blame on William, as well as his children, because all of them were adamant that they were "right" about the way they felt. I had discussions with my brother, but he was never ready to open up communication with his kids. I also met with my niece in the hope of persuading her to phone her father and try to talk things out. She didn't. And her brother declined to talk to me about it.

Whatever wounds they had incurred had not healed, and there was no change of heart. With their father's passing, they will now have to cope with their inaction for the rest of their lives.

Please pass my letter along to your readers. Life is too short to harbor ill feelings and resentment, especially with loved ones. God gave us the blessing of children. Parents and children should not toss this blessing aside for what turns out to be in hindsight some perceived slight or miscommunication. -- Mourning My Brother

DEAR MOURNING: Our sincere condolences for the loss of your brother. We hope your letter serves as a heartbreaking warning. People often think they have limitless time to fix relationships, but you never know what will happen. If someone is important to you, work it out. Talk it through. Get an unbiased third party to mediate if necessary, but don't let it fester until it's too late.

DEAR ANNIE: I am a heating and cooling professional. In the past month, I have gone into many homes to repair their furnaces. Several times, the only problem I found was faulty batteries in their digital thermostats.

Please inform your readers that spending five dollars and replacing their thermostat batteries could save them an $80-$100 service call from their heating contractor. They should change these batteries every year. Perhaps next fall, when they are thinking about Thanksgiving or buying holiday gifts, they could pick up some extra batteries as a gift to themselves. -- Staying Warm in South Dakota

DEAR SOUTH DAKOTA: Thanks for the welcome information. We admit that replacing thermostat batteries did not occur to us, but we will pay more attention in the future, and we hope our readers will, as well.

DEAR ANNIE: "Finally at Peace" said she learned to appreciate those grandchildren who keep in touch and stop mourning the ones who don't. I, too, spent an inordinate amount of time "grieving" the loss of my nieces and nephew after my parents and my husband passed away.

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Life is short; don't let rifts go unresolved

Associated Press

Posted on January 17, 2014 at 6:00 AM

Updated today at 6:30 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) United Technologies Corp. is expected to post a modest increase in revenue for the fourth quarter and stronger sales growth for 2013, while its emphasis on cost-cutting drives a stronger boost in profit.

The Hartford, Conn., aerospace and building systems conglomerate is set to report its results before the markets open on Wednesday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Chief Executive Officer Louis Chenevert told analysts in December that United Technologies, parent company of jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney, helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft and other businesses, picked up the pace of cost-cutting as it anticipated growth in its aerospace and building systems businesses.

It announced in October it would spend $500 million on restructuring in 2013, up from $350 million announced earlier in the year.

"It's clear to me we had a softer recovery than we expected this time last year, but we still delivered on the high end of the original range that we portrayed here a year ago," Chenevert said.

United Technologies said in December 2012 that it expected 2013 earnings per share of between $5.85 and $6.15 on sales of $64 billion to $65 billion. Last month, it said it expects 2013 earnings per share of about $6.15 on sales of about $63 billion.

Sterne Agee analyst Peter Arment said in a Jan. 13 note to investors that aerospace companies in the fourth quarter should continue to benefit from rising airline production and healthier repair and maintenance markets.

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Modest 4Q revenue rise seen for United Tech