Additional Accessories and Products For Increased Comfort
There is more to your comfort than just a heating and air conditioning system. Many times, accessories and other comfort products can increase the efficiency of your existing system or even help prevent costly breakdowns before they even happen! Next time a 5-Star Technician is at your home, don't forget to ask them about what accessories are right for your system and your personal needs, or you can contact us now for more information and to setup a service call.
Here are some additional home comfort products that can protect your existing systems:
CO Detector
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that kills unless detected early. CO kills more people than any other poison by displacing the oxygen in your body, causing it to suffocate from the inside out. Initially causing Flu-like symptoms, CO poisoning can also cause headaches, drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, brain damage and eventually DEATH. Carbon Monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane/liquid petroleum (LP) gas, fuel oil, gasoline, wood or coal. Any appliance such as furnaces, water heaters, stove/ovens, fireplaces, and automobiles (in a garage) that operate by burning fossil fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide in a home.
To guard you and your family against CO poisoning, CroppMetcalfe and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that a Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector be installed in a central location on each level of your home. However, if you are not able to purchase one for each level of your home, one detector installed on the bedroom level is better than no protection at all. Most CO Detectors have a life expectancy of 3-5 years and should be replaced to continue to give protection.
Features:
- Direct Plug-in
- Digital Display
- Instant Test/Reset Feature
- Self Diagnostic Circuitry
- No Replacement Sensor Required
- Shows Previous Highest Reading
- 5-Year Limited Warranty
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Surge Protector
A "Power Surge" is a brief, powerful blast of electricity that is very harmful to your valuable home appliances and electronics. Sometimes referred to as "Power Spikes," surges can happen in a fraction of a second. Power surges are often caused by lightning. In the United States, lightning will strike more than 60 times a year in any given neighborhood.
A lightning strike can produce surges that can travel in the ground for miles. One strike ¼ of a mile away can send a power surge through the power lines directly into your home, threatening the life of your electronics and appliances. Lightning, however, is not the only cause of power surges. During periods of high electric usage the power companies are forced to juggle electricity from different sources to meet the demand. Switching of electricity from one source to another can cause severe electrical line problems, including surges.
With Surge Protection your valuables can be protected. Whole House or Main Power Surge Protectors can be installed at the home’s main electrical panel for whole house protection as well as specific appliances for extra protection. These hard wired surge protectors absorb power surges, automatically reset and continue to protect. Your appliances will be protected whether they are on or off, even if you are not home.
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Water Alarm
A water alarm from CroppMetcalfe will protect you with early warnings near water heaters, sinks, laundry rooms, air conditioners, drain tubes, and sump pumps.
Other features and benefits:
- 110dB alarm can heard throughout house
- No installation, simply place on floor near water sources
- Detects as little as 1/32" of water
- Sensor wire extends 6' for hard to reach areas
- Solid state circuitry gives extreme reliability
- Requires 9V alkaline battery (sold separately)
- Alarm sounds for up to three days
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EZ Trap
The purpose of an EZ Trap is to "trap" the water runoff from the condensate. This water can damage your home and valuables. An EZ Trap also makes inspection of your system easier. Find out how you can also clean your own EZ Trap on our blog.
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Time Delay
A heat pump or air conditioner compressor is the heart of your system. The compressor pumps refrigerant to build a pressure differential to create the heating or cooling effect that keeps you comfortable. When the compressor cycles off it must stay off for approximately five minutes for the refrigerant pressures to equalize. If the compressor restarts before the five minutes is up it is referred to as "short cycling".
To protect and prolong the life of the compressor make sure it is protected with a time delay. A time delay is a control that can be installed on most residential and light commercial compressors to prevent "short cycling". Whenever the heat pump or air conditioner turns off for any reason, the time delay will hold the unit off for five minutes. This allows the refrigerant pressures time to equalize and the compressor can start under normal conditions each time. Make sure your compressor is protected before it is too late.
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Wet Switch
The purpose of a Wet Switch is to detect the presence of water that has run off of the condensate. When detecting as little as one or two drops of water, the Wet Switch turns your system off; protecting your home and valuables from possible water damage resulting from the runoff.
Key features of a Wet Switch are:
- Connects to a 24 volt power system
- LEDS show power and system status
- Multiple units may be connected to increase coverage area
- Wire connectors and system labels included
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Novent Safety Caps
The purpose of a Novent Safety Cap is to only allow access to an air conditioner's refrigerant to authorized personnel. This sophisticated cap can only be fitted and removed with a specialized tool. Other features and benefits include:
- Seal helps prevents refrigerant leaks
- Prevents unnecessary energy use due to loss of refrigerant
- Stops illegal venting of refrigerant
- Helps prevent mixing of refrigerant
- Reduces potential inhalation induced injury or death
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Hard Start Capacitor
Sometimes, your comfort system may not turn on. This is what is sometimes referred to as a "frozen" or "locked" system. A Hard Start Capacitor:
- Can be used on any single phase air conditioner and refrigeration unit
- Can be used in low voltage situations
- Can be used to hard start a compressor
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