Each year, on September 21st, right before the season changes from summer to fall, an International Day of Peace is celebrated worldwide. Each year, a different topic pursuant to ways peace can be encouraged is chosen; This year’s theme is “climate action.” We don’t think a more fitting theme could have been chosen than this.
Combating climate change is one of the most important actions we can take as a society right now. With rising temperatures, we’re seeing an increase in natural disasters, prematurely melting snow, rising water levels, and more problems that are severely affecting our communities.
So, what can you do to personally help to combat climate change? One of the easiest and most effective ways is right in your home - your heating system. For this #PeaceDay, we’ll discuss the importance of the HVAC system and what you can do to make an impact on climate change.
The Social Effects of Climate Change
Climate change affects more than just the temperatures, it affects how we live and interact as a society. When we’re experiencing more extreme weather, it can displace communities and change the structure in which we conduct our daily lives. Consider these scenarios:
Climate change can make for some uncharacteristically cold winters. When this happens, the more heat will be used in homes, which in turn increases the amount of energy we’re consuming and fossil fuels we’re burning.- Erratic and different weather patterns can have some extreme social effects. For instance, when rainfall patterns are affected, it can cause flooding and drought; This can kill farmland and crops, forcing families to move and reducing the amount of food available to communities.
- Fires and flooding can decimate entire towns and cities, causing residents to relocate.
Do Your Part With a Programmable Thermostat
If you’re looking for a good way to combat climate change, a programmable thermostat is a great addition to any home. Controlling your home’s heating system and HVAC with a programmable thermostat saves energy by allowing you to set your home’s temperature to be maintained more evenly throughout your home.
You can control settings and make adjustments right from your phone and even set changes to happen during different times of the day. All of this combined will ensure you’re using less energy, which will put less strain on your local power grid and help to conserve resources. Your pocket will thank you, too - homeowners who use programmable thermostats save an average of 30% on their energy bills.
Save the Earth, Plant a Tree
Trees have an incredibly important job of filtering the air we breathe and absorbing carbon dioxide. This International Day of Peace, getting together with friends and family to plant a few trees is a great way to do your part in reducing the effects of climate change.
With every tree planted, our air quality improves and we can breathe a little easier as a society. When it comes to caring for and preserving our planet, every little bit counts. This #PeaceDay, think of all the ways you can help.
Installing a programmable thermostat and planting trees are great ways to help; But there are other things you can do on a daily basis, as well. Consider carpooling with your family or coworkers more regularly, kick your recycling habits into high gear, or look for ways to conserve water usage within your home - these are all impactful ways you can help to correct climate change problems.
Hearing that you need to purchase a major plumbing part can feel overwhelming. It’s not an expense that you planned or budgeted for and it can really make life difficult.
Another type of plan that can be helpful for homeowners is maintenance subscriptions. These plans generally cover your annual maintenance while also providing discounts, priority scheduling, waived service fees and other annual benefits.
Many people think that plumbing emergencies are inevitable and that they’re just part of life as a homeowner. While to some extent this might be true, in many cases, 
The refrigerant is one very important component of your air conditioner. In fact, it’s the chemical that keeps us cool. Without it, your 
Sometimes we assume the worst. We create problems that seem bigger than they really are. In other words, your AC problems may simply be the result of a dirty unit.
If you didn’t relate to these first two problems because you just got a new HVAC unit, you might consider the possibility of incorrect installation.
When your bathroom requires new toilet installation, this is not a job to be taken lightly.
Leaky pipes, no matter how small, can lead to BIG water bills at the end of the month.
Leave the 
Reduced greenhouse gases.
As our world changes, so does the environment, and not exactly for the better. With the rise of corporations and the growth of the world’s population, our clean air supply is drastically decreasing.
There are a few steps you can take before your guests arrive to help defend against party chaos. First, make sure your bathroom is properly stocked. An extra roll (or two) of toilet paper, soap and hand towels are a must.
Well-mannered guests or not, sometimes your pipes will clog so much that repiping is necessary. Repiping is simply the process of replacing supply pipes in your house. Obviously, this is a project that you want to avoid when possible.
Even with the best prevention, a plumbing emergency or two are pretty inevitable. Knowing this information, there are a few things that you can do to be prepared.
One of the biggest contributors to air quality that most of are utilizing every day is our car. Outside of hybrids, our cars put out plenty of emissions into the air that can exacerbate air quality concerns.
This may seem like an obvious one but smoking indoors is terrible for your indoor air quality. While smoking isn’t a healthy habit at all for your lungs, making sure you smoke outside only can have a substantial impact on your air quality.
There is one bit of maintenance that isn’t very hard but it can have a big impact on your indoor air quality. As our seasons change, our dehumidifying systems often kick into overdrive, pulling moisture out of the air.
Few things are more insensitive than an HVAC system. The system turns on and off according to the program you set.
One of the easiest, least expensive, but often overlooked action to protect your unit is to replace your system's filters every year.
Low water pressure while flushing.
After you’ve replaced your flapper, your toilet is still running and leaking. Generally, these issues will stem from either a damaged valve or water line, or a crack in the actual toilet.
The easiest way to prevent leaking toilet issues is with regular maintenance. At Honest Abe’s Home Services we offer a full myriad of toilet solutions including repairs, replacements, and regular maintenance.
Water leak detection is important since most insurance companies only cover them if they are sudden and unexpected. Sealing all holes behind appliances and under sinks with caulk is one way to do it.
In the winter, when temperatures reach below or near freezing, a broken pipe leak is not uncommon.
Burst pipes, frozen plumbing, accidental overflow
By now you are probably realizing that homeowner’s insurance is a good thing to have for those unexpected emergencies caused by leaks and water damage in your home. It can potentially save you thousands of dollars on plumbing repair bills.