Get your home ready for the holidays

The holidays will soon be upon us and most of us made it a point to spend some time with our friends and family. This year many of us won’t be spending that time traveling, but spending it at home. So, now is a great time to get our homes ready for the holidays. And do those yearly maintenance items that tend to be overlooked.

Before we start decorating, we should address some home projects to keep our families and home safer this winter. First, we should start with a clean slate. Purging the items we don’t use anymore and cleaning the house is a great way to start. Next, we need to address some winter maintenance, like:

Yard work
Repair any damage to patios, decks and pathways
Clean out the gutters
Clean out dryer lint
Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and replace the batteries
Clean your coffee maker, microwave and range
Clean out the garbage disposal
Check out your dishwasher and drain
Clean the chimney
Clean range hood grease filters with a degreaser

Have the Fire Extinguisher Ready

Many fires start in the kitchen. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy before you start preparing holiday meals. And review fire safety guidelines, such as how to put out a grease fire.

Make a Safety Plan

Every home should have a safety plan for your family all year long, but if you don’t, now is the time to put one in place. You and your family need to plan exit strategies in case of emergencies and practice them before the cold weather sets in. Where will you meet up if you have to leave due to a fire or other emergency? What are the quickest ways out of each room if there is a fire? Does everyone know where the fire extinguishers are located?

Prepare your home for winter with some energy-saving tips

Whether you have a new home or looking to improve your older home’s energy efficiency, we have some suggestions about how you can prepare your home for the coming months.

Benefits of energy efficient homes and appliances

Energy efficient features of newer homes may include tight construction to eliminate drafts and moisture, high-performance windows, tight ducts, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and a higher efficient HVAC system. Energy-efficient appliances save money in the form of lower utility costs. Fewer temperature swings throughout the day, even temperature maintained throughout the home, and better noise isolation from outside are all beneficial byproducts of an energy efficient home.

Check your HVAC system

As we transition away from the intense summer heat, you should use the opportunity to give a little TLC to your HVAC system. Your home’s HVAC system should be inspected annually and regularly maintained. If it’s ten years old or older, it may need repairs or it may need to be replaced. We have highly trained, professional HVAC technicians who can install and maintain high-efficiency HVAC equipment, including energy-efficient air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Our HVAC technicians also perform maintenance checkups which typically include: checking thermostat settings, tightening connections, lubricating moving parts, and checking the condensate drain, evaporator and condenser coils, and refrigerant levels. We recommend annual pre-season checkups to keep cooling and heating equipment in tip-top shape. In addition to pre-season inspections, you should clean or replace your air filters regularly.

Maximize the energy efficiency of your home

When cooler weather approaches, it’s important to keep in mind a few quick and easy-to-implement tips to improve the energy efficiency of your home:

Utilize warmth from the sun by opening blinds and curtains to allow the sunlight to heat your room naturally
Check your exterior siding, windows and doors for cracks and air leaks and caulk to seal
Adjust the temperature and lower it when you are asleep or not at home; utilize a programmable thermostat to make this simple change even easier
Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees
Use LED lights when decorating your home for the holidays
Insulate pipes near windows, doors and in areas of the home that are unheated.
Inspect Insulation and ensure you have an adequate blanket of insulation attic, walls and crawlspace.
Reverse ceiling fans to push heated air down

Now, prepare for those Holiday visitors by taking a few steps to cover some forgotten items. You need to consider the little things, like, sharpening the kitchen knives, ensuring the toilet flushes properly, deep clean the bathroom, and make your home slip and child proof. Happy Holidays!

Get Ready For Fall, Houston

Well, Houston, the days have finally come. The summer is over and the sun is still shining. And the sidewalks can’t cook eggs anymore. But, looking forward to the cooler temperatures means that we also have our Fall To-Do list. In order to prepare our homes for the fall and winter, the Houston Chronicle has a complete list of items that should be addressed.

Preparing your home for the change in seasons with these energy-saving tips

By StoryStudio September 24, 2020 12:29 PM

Across Southeast Texas, the earliest days of autumn are often indistinguishable from summer. Temperatures are still high, and air conditioning is still on full blast. As Texans begin to look forward to the gradual winding down of the lingering summer heat, this is the perfect time of year to think about your home’s energy efficiency.

Whether you’re buying a new home or looking to improve your current home’s energy efficiency, we spoke to the experts at Entergy Texas to find out more about how you can prepare your home for the coming months.

Energy savings for new homes

If you’re in the market for a new home this season, Entergy has developed a program to help you make sure you’re buying an energy-efficient home. Through the Entergy Solutions High-Performance Homes Program, Entergy works with custom and production home builders to enhance their energy savings solutions.

“Homebuilders must agree to advanced building practices that culminate with a home that is performance tested and demonstrated to be measurably more efficient than the state adopted energy code,” said Kelley Carson, Energy Efficiency Program Manager at Entergy.

Energy-efficient features of new homes may include tight construction to eliminate drafts and moisture, high-performance windows, tight ducts, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and a higher efficient HVAC system.

“Energy-efficient homes not only save money in the form of utility costs over the lifetime of the home but are also more comfortable,” said Carson. “Fewer temperature swings throughout the day, better temperature homogeny throughout the home, and better noise isolation from outside are all beneficial byproducts of an efficient home.”

Prospective homebuyers can find a list of participating builders on Entergy’s website.

Check your HVAC system

As we transition away from the summer heat, this is an excellent opportunity to give a little TLC to your HVAC system. Your home’s HVAC system should be regularly maintained, and if it’s ten years old or older, it may need to be replaced.

How do you know if your system needs to be replaced? “Noisy equipment, hot and cold spots, humidity problems, and excessive dust are other telltale signs that an HVAC system might need updating,” said Carson.

Through Entergy’s HVAC Distributor Program, customers have access to trusted contractors who can install high-efficiency HVAC equipment in your home at reduced costs, including energy-efficient air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Contractors also perform maintenance checkups which typically include: checking thermostat settings, tightening connections, lubricating moving parts, and checking the condensate drain, evaporator and condenser coils, and refrigerant levels. “Annual pre-season checkups are recommended to keep cooling and heating equipment in tip-top shape,” said Carson.

There is one simple way everyone can improve energy efficiency in their home: “The number one thing homeowners can do is inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month,” advised Carson.

Maximize the energy efficiency of your pool

In Texas, we love our pools. In fact, Texas ranks in the top three states for the number of in-ground and above-ground pools. If you own a home with a pool, you know you’ll be able to get extended use out of it due to the long Texas summers. What you may not know is that your pool can also present significant energy (and therefore cost) savings.

“Pools are incredibly popular in this area and pool pumps are often a home’s second-largest energy user,” said Carson, “therefore they represent an opportunity for tremendous savings. And it is important to Entergy to return value to our customers in the form of incentives for popular products that provide tremendous benefits over their life-cycle.”

Pool pumps last about seven to ten years on average. If your pump needs to be replaced, it may exhibit some of these warning signs:

Does not seem to be as powerful

Continuously makes noise

Gets hot and shuts off

Hums or buzzes but will not start

Starts slowly

The Entergy Texas Pool Pump Distributor Program provides incentives for ENERGY STAR qualified, variable speed pool pumps. With ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps, homeowners can expect to use up to 65% less energy and save up to $450 a year on their energy bills. Homeowners should ask their dealer for the Entergy pool pump incentive.

Quick fixes for an immediate boost in energy efficiency

When cooler weather approaches, it’s important to keep in mind a few quick and easy-to-implement tips to improve the energy efficiency of your home:

Utilize warmth from the sun by opening blinds and curtains to allow the sunlight to heat your room naturally

Check your windows and doors for air leaks and caulk to seal

Adjust the temperature and lower it when you are asleep or not at home; utilize a programmable thermostat to make this simple change even easier

Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees

Use LED lights when decorating your home for the holidays

“Cooling may dominate our utility bills throughout the summer season, but there is plenty of waste (and therefore opportunity to save energy) Fall through Spring,” said Carson. “Money saved through efficiency measures taken all year can help take the sting out of summer cooling bills.”

For more information on how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money with Entergy Texas, click here.

At Abacus, we take pride in our community. Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical is a full service residential contractor that has been serving the greater Houston area for over 50 years. Abacus is a member of the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce and has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau of Houston. Abacus is licensed and insured and offers 24/7 emergency service. To learn more about Abacus Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, visit http://www.abacusplumbing.net or call 713-766-3605713-766-3605. License Numbers: ALAN O’NEILL M-20628 | TACLB82488E | TECL 39119

Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical services the greater DFW area including, but not limited to: Houston, Humble, Baytown, Bellaire, Conroe, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, The Woodlands and more. Check out our Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical reviews or visit Abacus A+ BBB to confirm Abacus is a company you can trust.

Gas Leaks and Gas Line Repairs

Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed by layers of buried plants and animals that are exposed to intense heat and pressure under ground over thousands of years. The energy from these plants and animals is stored in the form of carbon in the gas. Natural gas is combusted to generate electricity, enabling this stored energy to be transformed into usable power. Natural gas also is used directly for heating or cooking in our homes. It’s completely safe when it is sealed inside gas pipes and used correctly.

Natural gas is a relatively safe, efficient fuel source because of the physical characteristics of the gas itself. Natural gas has a very narrow range of flammability. It will only burn in a concentration between 4 to 15 percent per volume of air. Natural gas will also dissipate into the air quickly. It also has a very high ignition temperature, at about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. Because natural gas is odorless, most providers add an odorant that has a distinctive smell similar to rotten eggs or skunks.

Natural gas safety tips

Keep all natural gas appliances clean and properly maintained.
Never block air vents that supply air to your appliances.
Do not store any flammable materials in or near the natural gas appliances.
Don’t use your oven or stovetop to heat your home or dry clothes.
Keep the area around your furnace and water heater clear and clean.
Never leave the stovetop or oven unattended while it’s in use.

You may have a gas leak if:

Hissing sound near a gas line or gas appliance along with a rotten egg odor
A gas meter dial that continues to move after all gas appliances and equipment have been shut off
Dead or dying vegetation above a buried gas line in an otherwise green area
Bubbles above a buried gas line after watering or rain
“Rotten egg” or “skunky” odor either inside or outside your home
Dirt or air blowing from a hole where a gas line may be exposed

If you suspect you have a gas leak:

Leave the area immediately and call 911 and Abacus Plumbing, 832-554-9958.. Use a neighbor’s phone if necessary. Yu should also call your provider, https://ift.tt/36MeDkL
Turn off the emergency shut off valve located where the line enters your home, if possible.
Do not return to your home until the area is declared safe.
Don’t touch anything that might create a spark., like televisions, telephones, cell phones, light switches, garage door openers, vehicles, etc..
Avoid carpeted areas to prevent sparks of static electricity.

An easy way to tell if gas appliances are adjusted properly and are getting enough oxygen is to check the color of the flame. The flame should be about 90 percent blue. A yellow flame indicates the appliance isn’t functioning properly and could be giving off harmful fumes. However, not all problems with gas appliances will cause a yellow pilot light and not all pilot lights are visible.

A city permit may be required for any repair work. We will manage all permitting for you. This ensures your safety and that of your neighbors. After our repairs are complete, the city inspector and the gas company will inspect our work. Your city codes may require that the entire gas system be brought up to current code standards. Our professional plumbers can perform the necessary work to ensure your system meets these requirements.

Get Ready For Fall, Houston

Preparing your home for the change in seasons with these energy-saving tips

By StoryStudio September 24, 2020 12:29 PM

Across Southeast Texas, the earliest days of autumn are often indistinguishable from summer. Temperatures are still high, and air conditioning is still on full blast. As Texans begin to look forward to the gradual winding down of the lingering summer heat, this is the perfect time of year to think about your home’s energy efficiency.

Whether you’re buying a new home or looking to improve your current home’s energy efficiency, we spoke to the experts at Entergy Texas to find out more about how you can prepare your home for the coming months.

Energy savings for new homes

If you’re in the market for a new home this season, Entergy has developed a program to help you make sure you’re buying an energy-efficient home. Through the Entergy Solutions High-Performance Homes Program, Entergy works with custom and production home builders to enhance their energy savings solutions.

“Homebuilders must agree to advanced building practices that culminate with a home that is performance tested and demonstrated to be measurably more efficient than the state adopted energy code,” said Kelley Carson, Energy Efficiency Program Manager at Entergy.

Energy-efficient features of new homes may include tight construction to eliminate drafts and moisture, high-performance windows, tight ducts, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and a higher efficient HVAC system.

“Energy-efficient homes not only save money in the form of utility costs over the lifetime of the home but are also more comfortable,” said Carson. “Fewer temperature swings throughout the day, better temperature homogeny throughout the home, and better noise isolation from outside are all beneficial byproducts of an efficient home.”

Prospective homebuyers can find a list of participating builders on Entergy’s website.

Check your HVAC system

As we transition away from the summer heat, this is an excellent opportunity to give a little TLC to your HVAC system. Your home’s HVAC system should be regularly maintained, and if it’s ten years old or older, it may need to be replaced.

How do you know if your system needs to be replaced? “Noisy equipment, hot and cold spots, humidity problems, and excessive dust are other telltale signs that an HVAC system might need updating,” said Carson.

Through Entergy’s HVAC Distributor Program, customers have access to trusted contractors who can install high-efficiency HVAC equipment in your home at reduced costs, including energy-efficient air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits. Contractors also perform maintenance checkups which typically include: checking thermostat settings, tightening connections, lubricating moving parts, and checking the condensate drain, evaporator and condenser coils, and refrigerant levels. “Annual pre-season checkups are recommended to keep cooling and heating equipment in tip-top shape,” said Carson.

There is one simple way everyone can improve energy efficiency in their home: “The number one thing homeowners can do is inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month,” advised Carson.

Maximize the energy efficiency of your pool

In Texas, we love our pools. In fact, Texas ranks in the top three states for the number of in-ground and above-ground pools. If you own a home with a pool, you know you’ll be able to get extended use out of it due to the long Texas summers. What you may not know is that your pool can also present significant energy (and therefore cost) savings.

“Pools are incredibly popular in this area and pool pumps are often a home’s second-largest energy user,” said Carson, “therefore they represent an opportunity for tremendous savings. And it is important to Entergy to return value to our customers in the form of incentives for popular products that provide tremendous benefits over their life-cycle.”

Pool pumps last about seven to ten years on average. If your pump needs to be replaced, it may exhibit some of these warning signs:

Does not seem to be as powerful

Continuously makes noise

Gets hot and shuts off

Hums or buzzes but will not start

Starts slowly

The Entergy Texas Pool Pump Distributor Program provides incentives for ENERGY STAR qualified, variable speed pool pumps. With ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps, homeowners can expect to use up to 65% less energy and save up to $450 a year on their energy bills. Homeowners should ask their dealer for the Entergy pool pump incentive.

Quick fixes for an immediate boost in energy efficiency

When cooler weather approaches, it’s important to keep in mind a few quick and easy-to-implement tips to improve the energy efficiency of your home:

Utilize warmth from the sun by opening blinds and curtains to allow the sunlight to heat your room naturally

Check your windows and doors for air leaks and caulk to seal

Adjust the temperature and lower it when you are asleep or not at home; utilize a programmable thermostat to make this simple change even easier

Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees

Use LED lights when decorating your home for the holidays

“Cooling may dominate our utility bills throughout the summer season, but there is plenty of waste (and therefore opportunity to save energy) Fall through Spring,” said Carson. “Money saved through efficiency measures taken all year can help take the sting out of summer cooling bills.”

For more information on how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money with Entergy Texas, click here.

New Project To Help Houston’s Students

Right now, Houston is facing some big challenges. Rain and flooding from a tropical storm. A pandemic. Employment issues. Housing issues. Remote learning. But, with all these issues, the youth of Houston have found a new way to help each other. A group of Houston high school students are offering to help tutor younger neighbors, so remote learning is easier and less frustrating. Read about the Teaching To Give project in the Houston Chronicle.

Houston teens launch free online tutoring service

By Marcy de Luna Updated 7:00 am CDT, Monday, September 21, 2020

At age 15, Weillison Hsu has already learned the importance of volunteering. The pianist and violinist began giving his time in 2015, bringing joy to the elderly at Houston-area senior living homes with his music.

With community service ingrained in his young life, Hsu is taking on a new endeavor. He recently helped found Teaching to Give, a free online tutoring service for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

“I’ve been volunteering since I was in the 5th grade. I am passionate about helping others,” said Hsu, a sophomore at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Hsu is coming to the aid students across the city, with the help of some of his peers.

Teaching to Give’s seven-person board includes Hsu, who serves as president, along with fellow 15-year-olds Hayden Miller, Lina Wu, Amy Park, Fiona Condron, Rushil Chetty and Ashley Chu. All are enrolled at various local high schools.

Teaching to Give, which officially launched on Sept. 9, provides virtual tutoring lessons for academic subjects, along with foreign language and the arts.

Hsu said the inspiration behind the website is two-fold. “Last winter break, one of our teachers fell sick with cancer. It caused a huge learning gap as we had substitute teachers for the entire semester. Thankfully, he is now in full remission.”

Yet another barrier to learning occurred amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“When online learning started during COVID-19, we experienced an even bigger learning gap,” said Hsu. “We knew that other students from other schools were also experiencing this.”

Signing up for Teaching to Gives is simple. After filling out a brief online form, clients are matched with a tutor from a roster of 28 volunteer high school students.

“We all take advanced classes and are qualified to teach middle and elementary school students at a high level,” said Miller. “We adapt to what the clients are learning or what they want to learn.”

There is no charge for the service and, since sessions are via Zoom, both the pupils and their tutors can be located anywhere in the city.

Kevin Li, an 8th grader at T.H. Rogers School, gets help with the violin. “It is helpful that my tutor is closer in age and learned the same thing recently,” he said.

Deepshikha Arora’s son, Aditya Arora, 7, also attends T.H. Rogers School. He is tutored in math, art, piano and Spanish.

“I am excited to have something that engages my child during COVID-19,” said Deepshikha Arora. “The high schoolers listen and come to the level of the child they are teaching. He looks forward to it.”

Deepshikha Arora initially went a more traditional route, working with an adult tutor.

“We tried formal tutoring where the teachers were grownups, but Aditya was shy. With the high school students, he is at ease,” she said. “He is improving academically and it also satisfies his curiosity.”

Although website fees are Teaching to Give’s only expense, the group is open to receiving donations.

“We have been planning on finding sponsors,” said Hsu. “Right now, all the money comes out of pocket from the board members.”

Contributions also help the group go beyond tutoring, including starting a new venture called “Project Pencil” to collect supplies for the arts program at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center in Fourth Ward.

“Before, we were focused on getting our tutoring platform off the ground and ready. Now that we are on our feet with that, we are excited to incorporate our project,” said Miller.

In the future, Hsu said they’d like to host book drives as well as a fundraiser to buy drumsticks and small instruments for music programs.

“We know how mind- and eye-opening the arts can be and how many paths it can open for your future,” said Hsu. “Educational supplies are pretty expensive. We want to help with these needs.”

In Hurricane Laura’s Wake

In the last few days, the Houston area has witnessed the awesome power of hurricanes. The broken trees, damaged buildings and power outages attest to the destructive power of high winds and storm surges. THe U.S. Geological Survey even reported the hurricanes made rivers run backwards. But, just as powerful as the hurricanes, the people of Houston have the power to reach out to our neighbors and help rebuild our communities. The Houston Chronicle has a list of resources that Houstonians can access if the need assistance or for us to contribute a donation for those that want to help

Hurricane Laura caused Neches River to flow backward for 12 hours

By Taylor Pettaway Published 1:37 pm CDT, Monday, August 31, 2020

When Hurricane Laura hit the Texas-Louisiana border last week, the water and wind caused something strange to occur— the Neches River started flowing backwards.

Because the hurricane pushed so much water ahead as it was coming ashore, it reversed the flow of the Neches River away from Sabine Lake for about 12 hours, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The USGS said once Laura came ashore, the flow rate of water rapidly increased to about 15,000 cubic feet per second, a rate that would fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in about six seconds—typically its flow rate is about 2-3,000 cubic feet per second.

The same phenomenon happened in 2008 when Hurricane Ike hit Texas, though then the water flow was more dramatic flowing at about 30,000 cubic feet per second, the USGS said.

How to help people in Hurricane Laura’s devastating wake

By Sonia Ramirez, Chron.com Updated 5:11 pm CDT, Monday, August 31, 2020

While Houston was spared from the brunt of Hurricane Laura, organizations across town are coming together to help those in need.

The National Hurricane Center downgraded Laura to a Category 2 hurricane as the eye made landfall over Louisiana near the Texas state line in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27.

The following organizations are collecting supplies and donations:

Attack Poverty

Attack Poverty is an organization leading efforts to assist individuals in Louisiana in response to Hurricane Laura. Supplies requested include:

Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, toilet paper)

Food – nonperishables, beans, soup, rice, etc.

Tarps

Zip locks

Trash bags

Masks

Drop Off Sites Near Richmond, Rosenberg, and Sugar Land:

Attack Poverty Headquarters

Drop off dates: 8/31-TBD

Drop off times: Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For a complete list of items requested and other drops off sites contact: Disaster Recovery Team, APDR@attackpoverty.org

Address: 3727 Greenbriar Dr. Ste. 100 Stafford, TX 77477

Volunteers of America

You can make a donation to help those affected due to Hurricane Laura with a donation to Volunteers of America through a link they have set up on their website here. To donate by phone, please call us at 800-899-0089.

Project Hope

Project Hope has its emergency response teams on the ground to help meet immediate medical needs in the wake of Hurricane Laura. You can make a donation through its website at www.projecthope.org.

Americares

Your donations to Americares will support deliveries of medicine, medical supplies, and other critical aid to those affected by Hurricane Laura. Donations to Americares U.S. Disaster Relief Fund can be made through its website at www.americares.org/usdisasterfund.

Lakewood Church (This donation drive ended on Saturday, Aug. 29).

As of 9 a.m. this morning Lakewood Church announced on their Facebook page that they will be collecting supplies such as bottled water, baby wipes, formula, and diapers to help those hardest hit by the storm in East Texas and Louisiana.

The Houston Food Bank

In anticipation of Hurricane Laura, the Houston Food Bank prepared disaster pallets and are working with multiple partners to help them respond to disaster sites, according to their Facebook page. In addition, you can visit their website here for other ways you can help as well as make a donation to support those impacted by the storm.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross already has mobilized teams to the areas affected by Hurricane Laura to support local officials, according to their website. If you would like to help, they are asking you to visit their website at redcross.org, or call 800-RED-CROSS or text the word LAURA to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Salvation Army

To support the emergency disaster services of The Salvation Army, they ask you to please visit their website: salvationarmyhouston.org. to make a donation.

We will update this list as more organizations share their plans to assist those affected by Hurricane Laura.

For more information and photographs, visit the Houston Chronicle.

Furry Friends Need You, Houston!

The Texas Gulf Coast is an amazing place to live. We have the beautiful ocean, beaches and wildlife surrounding us. But, we also have some extreme weather, too. When our weather in Houston gets too hot, too windy, or too watery, living without a home can be very tough, especially if you are new to this world. The kind Houstonians that rescue and care for those homeless animals can’t do it alone. They need our help. And the Montgomery County animal shelter is asking us to pitch in and help them care for our furry friends in the article just published by the Houston Chronicle.

Montgomery County Animal Shelter waives adoption fees through August

By Catherine Dominguez Updated 1:44 pm CDT, Friday, August 14, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Montgomery County Animal Shelter is still operating through appointments and continues to have success is finding shelter animals forever homes.

In March following the announcement of the first COVID-19 cases in the county, the shelter began limiting its intake of animals but soon moved to an appointment only system.

“Adoptions and intakes are going well,” said MCAS Assistant Director Mark Wysocki adding the appointment system allows the staff to manage the number of people in the building. “The rescue and foster groups have really stepped up to pull from the shelter to transport and adopt locally.”

While the shelter can’t host a large adoption event, Wysocki said they are doing a clear the shelter event and have waived all adoption fees through the month of August.

Foster: Foster Clinic times and days will remain the same. If you come to the foster clinic, stay in your vehicle or maintain social distancing outside of the facility and check into the wait list at https://app.waitwhile.com/welcome/mcasfoster. The wait list becomes available for sign in only during the scheduled days and times. If you have any urgent needs please contact FosterCoordinator@mctx.org. Sign up for a foster appointment at https://app.waitwhile.com/book/mcasfostering.

Adopt: To adopt an animal, go to https://app.waitwhile.com/book/mcasadoption to schedule a time. The shelter will be doing fee waived adoptions to eliminate the handling of cash and credit card terminals during this time.

Volunteer: Volunteers who are already volunteering with MCAS will still be able to volunteer. Keep in contact with Volunteer.Coordinator@mctx.org as well as scheduling your volunteering time on the online portal. The shelter will limit the number of volunteers on property. Please note that if you come to the shelter you may be required to answer some screening questions before being allowed to enter the shelter.

Wellness: The Wellness Center will still be operating as normal by appointment. Staff will be asking people to be diligent in practicing social distancing when they are at the facility. To book an appointment for wellness please visit, https://app.waitwhile.com/book/wellnessmcas

If you are interested in fostering or adopting one of these pups you can contact the shelter at shelter.counter@mctx.org and/or schedule an appointment.

Houston Has A New Addition

Looking for a little escape from the house this weekend? We all need a little change from our weekly routines and now Houston has a new addition to explore. Memorial Park’s first expansion is now open. The Memorial Park Master Plan is a long-term plan to preserve and expand Houston’s largest urban wilderness and recreation park for future generations. To see some of the photographs and details, visit the Houston Chronicle.

Memorial Park’s Eastern Glades, a 100-acre addition, is now open

By Elliott Lapin, Staff writer Updated 8:03 am CDT, Saturday, August 1, 2020

The 100-acre Clay Family Eastern Glades, the first significant project of the Memorial Park 10-year master plan is now completed and open to the public

The first project in the 10-year, $205 million Memorial Park master plan has been completed.

The 100-acre Clay Family Eastern Glades was finished on July 29 and is now fully open to the public.

Among the features of Eastern Glades are: the 5.5-acre Hines Lake and wetlands, which provides stormwater detention and reuse for irrigation as well as aquatic habitat, over 2.5 miles of new boardwalks and accessible walking trails, and several pavilions and picnic areas.

Eastern Glades stands on what had previously been largely inaccessible and ecologically distressed parkland and part of East Memorial Loop Road.

“The very act of creating parkland where none existed here in the very center of the city, I think is one of the most important stories that we can tell,” said Memorial Park Conservancy Chief Operating Officer Cara Lambright.

Memorial Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to preserve, restore and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow,” per its website.

The Memorial Park Master Plan is a long-term plan to preserve and expand Houston’s largest urban wilderness and recreation park for future generations.

Four million Houstonians from more than 170 zip codes visit Memorial Park each year. The Eastern Glades has been a welcome addition for many who come to the park often.

Ashley and Luis Larios, who were there with her father, Abi Pineda, stopped to take a family photo beside Hines Lake. They live about a half-mile away and walk the park’s Seymour Lieberman trail daily.

“We’ve been waiting and waiting,” Luis Larios said. “What’s really nice is the European vibe you get. It reminds me of Paris.”

He was speaking of the terraced areas at each end of the lake. Walk a few hundred yards further along the boardwalk, and you’re in wooded urban wilderness.

Larios had already visited the Glades one recent evening, before the fences were completely down, without his wife and father-in-law. He especially loves the views at dusk, when lights embedded in the limestone pedestals illuminate a pathway across the lawn and the lake. (The pedestals memorialize the soldiers who tread that ground during World War I, when this part of the park was Camp Logan.)

“It’s definitely going to be where everybody takes their pictures for baby showers and weddings,” Ashley Larios said. “It’s going to be a great place to quarantine because of all the places that feel private.”

Air Purification In Houston Homes

Living In Houston, we expect warm, humid climate most of the year. All that moisture in the air male the air in our home susceptible to mold and mildew growth. Now, with additional health concerns, many Houston homeowners are considering adding air purification systems to their existing HVAC systems. But, is it really necessary? The Washington Post hs published an article detailing what you should know and some questions you should consider.

What you need to know about air purifiers, including little evidence of health benefits

Pat yourself on the back if you’ve sealed your home for energy efficiency. Keeping drafts out is a money-saving move. The hitch? A tightly sealed home may also trap in pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold and other nasties that can trigger respiratory issues.

One possible solution: an air purifier. Based on manufacturers’ estimates, about 1 in 4 U.S. households own a portable indoor air purifier, including those that come as part of a fan, says Perry Santanachote, home editor at Consumer Reports. That’s not surprising. As indoor air quality becomes a concern for consumers, manufacturers produce “remedies” for us to buy or, at minimum, buy into. But is an air purifier worth the investment?

“Air purifiers can be an important part of allergen avoidance, but they are not a cure-all,” says Manav Singla, an allergist and immunologist affiliated with MedStar Health locations in Maryland. “I don’t tell all of my allergy sufferers to go out and get an air purifier, just like I don’t tell them to install hardwood floors.”

Because they filter airborne particles such as dander and pollen, air purifiers might work best for people with animal allergies who own a dog or cat or who leave doors and windows open, Singla says. They aren’t effective for those sensitive to dust mites, because mites live in carpet and bedding.

The research into efficacy of air purifiers is inconclusive. In 2018, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology analyzed studies of eight interventions believed to help asthma patients, including air purifiers. It found that: “Despite an extensive evidence base spanning several decades, the evidence base as a whole is insufficient to support meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of many widely used products and strategies for improving patient outcomes by reducing environmental allergen exposure.” It also called for better research.

A 2010 analysis by the academy concluded that “the principal role of air cleaning and filtration in the living environment for those with allergic respiratory diseases might relate more toward the reduction of disease progression rather than a ‘treatment.’ ” It added that although portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters appear to be beneficial, especially in bedrooms, for households with forced-air HVAC systems, “regular maintenance schedules and the use of high-efficiency disposable filters appear to be the best choices.”

Remember, your furnace and/or air conditioner is essentially a whole-house filtration system, and thus may negate the need for an air purifier. The problem is that many homeowners use cheap, thin filters that cost a few bucks and do little to actually filter the air. Plus, most of us forget to change the filter as often as we should. The simple addition of what’s called a media cabinet to hold a deeper (up to five inches) disposable filter can greatly increase filtration capabilities. These filters last from eight weeks to six months and are usually less than $35 apiece.

If you do decide to go ahead with an air purifier, your first decision is whether you need a portable or whole-house model. If you have ductwork and a forced-air system, a whole-house system will work. Homes with radiant heat and no air conditioning will have to resort to portable stand-alone models.

Assuming your home has forced air, hire a trained professional to inspect your entire system, including equipment and ductwork, says Travis Jackson, a home heating, cooling and air purification expert in Warrenton, Va. “An inspection checks for underlying issues such as unsealed ducts, moldy standing water, dirt or glue-filled seams emitting vapors. Your system may just need a simple cleaning,” he says. Depending on your location and provider, this type of inspection may be free or cost up to $100.

Unless you have real cause to believe that the air in your home is making you sick, you don’t need an indoor air quality assessment, which is extensive, expensive ($800 to $1,200) and typically unwarranted, Jackson says.

With either type of purifier, you need to measure the square footage of the space you’re trying to treat, whether it’s a single room or the entire home. The cost of any unit is dictated by size and efficiency. Here’s what else you need to know.

Portable air purifiers

You’ll find several types. Basic mechanical models use a fan to force air through a filter to remove particles. Those with higher-grade HEPA filters are certified to capture the smallest particles, including dust, smoke, pollen and pet dander.

Electronic air purifiers are designed to create an electric charge so particles stick to metal plates in the machine, which you then carefully wipe off. Other models include a UV light and claim to kill mold and bacteria, but Consumer Reports has not tested those models, and there’s currently no evidence that they do what they claim, Santanachote says.

Some purifiers include an activated carbon filter to absorb odors and/or remove gases. While thicker, heavy-duty carbon filters are effective, they are pricey. Thin mesh ones are a waste of money, Santanachote says.

Expect to spend at least $200 on a portable unit. Top-rated models that purify large spaces may run up to $700. In addition, replacement filters cost $20 to $200 (a few models come with washable filters), and because experts recommend that you run purifiers 24/7, you’ll have to factor in electricity.

Don’t be dazzled by sleek looks or equate higher cost with better performance. Look for models certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). Then check the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which describes how well the machine reduces tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. The higher the number, the better. Less than 60 is poor, and more than 240 is excellent, Santanachote says.

If there’s a floor model available, look inside for a thick filter covering a broad surface. Even better, ask to plug it in. An air purifier, by its nature — basically a fan and a filter — is noisy, especially on higher speeds. If that’s a concern, you’ll want to hear it for yourself. One workaround is to purchase a purifier rated for a larger space and run it at a lower, quieter speed.

Whole-house air purifiers

Assuming your home has ducts, a whole-house air cleaner is an easy, quiet, no-fuss option. If you want to go all out, there are units with multiple filters to capture airborne particles, plus an activated carbon filter to remove odors. These cost $2,500 and up, plus installation. Models that include germicidal UV lamp technology to irradiate bacteria and mold spores in the air stream or on the filter cost even more; however, again, research proving they work is lacking.

It’s also possible to add a UV light system to your HVAC system, but they aren’t cheap. There are two types: an object cleaner and an in-duct air purification system.

An object cleaner positioned next to the coil of your air conditioner — a dark, damp breeding ground for mold and bacteria — floods the area with UV light and kills off organisms before they can be pulled into your ventilation system. These cost $350 to $800. Replacement bulbs, which average a one- to two-year life span, are $100 to $300.

Your second, pricier option is a UV in-duct air purification system. Think of the UV light like the sun’s rays. “By putting the ‘sun’ into your ductwork, the UV lightbulb emits vaporized hydrogen attacking germs, bacteria, mold spores, fungus and odors as the air cycles through your home,” Jackson says. Some models claim to clean countertops and other surfaces, as the treated air is forced out of vents through your home.

Depending on your home’s square footage and the size of your HVAC system, an in-duct UV system ranges from $800 to $1,500. Bulbs last up to three years and cost $300 to $400. Most units can be installed in less than two hours, and you’ll typically be charged a flat rate that includes parts and labor.

Although some users swear by UV air scrubbers, Singla points out that UV filtration is of limited value for the average consumer with allergies because allergens are not living tissue like mold. Bottom line: Unless you or someone in your household has severe allergies or is prone to respiratory infections, you may want to just keep your living space as clean as possible and your HVAC unit in tiptop shape before investing in an air purification system.

Abacus Plumbing Blog

Plumbing * Air Conditioning * Electrical

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