Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog : Archive for November, 2014

Will Thanksgiving Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?

Thursday, November 27th, 2014

We’ve all heard it before: you feel so sleepy after a Thanksgiving meal because of the main event: the turkey. For years, people have credited extraordinary levels of tryptophan in turkey as the reason we all feel the need to nap after the annual feast. But contrary to this popular mythology, tryptophan is probably not he largest responsible party for your post-meal exhaustion.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means it’s something that our bodies need but do not produce naturally. Your body uses tryptophan to help make vitamin B3 and serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that sends chemicals to the brain to aid in sleep. But in order to get this essential amino acid, we have to eat foods that contain it.

Turkey has somewhat high levels of tryptophan, but so do many other foods, including eggs, peanuts, chocolate, nuts, bananas, and most other meats and dairy products. In fact, ounce-for-ounce cheddar cheese contains a greater amount of tryptophan than turkey. In order for tryptophan to make you feel sleepy, you would have to consume it in excessive amounts, and serotonin is usually only produced by tryptophan on an empty stomach.

The truth is, overeating is largely responsible for the “food coma” many people describe post-Thanksgiving. It takes a lot of energy for your body to process a large meal, and the average Thanksgiving plate contains about twice as many calories as is recommended for daily consumption. If anything, high levels of fat in the turkey cause sleepiness, as they require a lot of energy for your body to digest. Lots of carbohydrates, alcohol, and probably a bit of stress may also be some of the reasons it feels so satisfying to lay down on the couch after the meal and finally get a little bit of shut-eye.

If you feel the need to indulge in a heaping dose of tryptophan this year, go ahead! Turkey also contains healthy proteins and may even provide a boost for your immune system.

Here at Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, we hope your Thanksgiving is full of joy and contentment this year. Happy feasting!

Tags: Thanksgiving
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Commercial Heating Installation: A Job Best Left to the Professionals

Monday, November 17th, 2014

Replacing an older commercial heating system is a tough decision that takes a lot of careful consideration. You may have just begun to notice reduced heating capability or other problems with your business’s heating system. Or, maybe multiple repair needs in recent years have led to the decision to replace. But finding the right technician for the job can be a stressful situation when you’re not certain how to find someone you can trust.

When you finally make the choice to replace your older commercial heating system, be sure to call on specialists with experience in commercial units. This is simply the only way to ensure that the installation is done properly and that there are no safety hazards remaining after installation. Ask your technicians about their previous experience on large commercial units or search through their website to find out more information about the company. While it may seem as though any heating technician will be sufficient, only a select few know the ins and outs of large commercial units.

One of the foremost reasons to have your commercial heating system installed by a specialist is sizing. Commercial systems can be very difficult for the average technician to size, as there are a lot of factors that must go into the decision. Technicians make precise calculations based on the size of the business, the number of rooms, units, or offices, and the number of people in the building, as well as factors like insulation and the placement of windows. Whether or not you need zone control to vary the temperature throughout the building is also an important consideration that a residential technician may not be prepared for. If your heating system is too small, you won’t get enough heating power, while if it is too large, it will consume too much energy and may have a problem due to short cycling.

Another reason to only rely on trained and experienced technician is time constraints. For a busy commercial property, you want heat restored as soon as possible so that you can get back to work and keep your customers, clients, employees, and/or tenants happy and comfortable.

When you want installation completed quickly and thoroughly, choose the experts on commercial heating in Colorado Springs. Call Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Tags: Colorado Springs, Commercial Heating
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3 Common Reasons for Boiler Repair

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Boilers may operate in different ways than most other heating systems. They are still imperfect, however, and that results in their occasional need for repairs. Below, we’ll take a look at three of the most common reasons for boiler repair, and what can be done about it.

Kettling

Over time, minerals in the water can build up in the heat exchanger of your boiler. After a few years, these minerals can form deposits large enough to actually restrict or even block the flow of water through your boiler’s heat exchanger. This causes a massive buildup in pressure, as the water evaporates and expands inside the heat exchanger. The result is a rumbling sound, called “kettling.” If left alone, this condition can cause extreme damage to your boiler. If your boiler is making this kind of noise, turn it off and call a professional immediately.

Pilot Light Won’t Stay On

If your pilot light won’t stay on, chances are you have a bad thermocouple. The thermocouple is a metal wire that acts as a sensor for the pilot light. When it senses the heat from the pilot light, it opens the gas valve to keep fueling the flame. A bad thermocouple has often lost the ability to sense the heat from the pilot light. As a result, the gas valve stays closed and smothers the flame.

Boiler Keeps Turning Off

If your boiler keeps turning itself off shortly after being turned on, it is likely that something in the system is triggering a safety measure. Usually, these measures trigger when the system is in danger of overheating or even exploding. Honestly, though you’ll need an HVAC professional to determine the exact cause for you. It is quite possible that your boiler is overheating or experiencing a pressure spike. It is equally possible, however, that a malfunctioning thermostat or blocked water line is the cause. Either way, it’s not something you should ignore.

If you are experiencing problems with your boiler, call Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide boiler repair services throughout Fountain, CO.

Tags: Boiler Repair, Fountain
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The Steps of a Professional Heating System Tune Up

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Have you thought about the state of your heating system recently? Your heater works hard to keep you warm all winter long, which means parts may wear down and reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of your unit. You can prevent this from happening by scheduling a heating system tune-up from a skilled contractor every year. A heating system tune-up can help reduce your utility bills, extend the life of your equipment, and ensure that you need few repairs over the years. It can also improve the performance of your heating system. In this guide, we’ll go over the steps of professional heating maintenance so that you can feel confident that scheduling your next heating tune-up with an experienced technician is well worth the time.

Full Inspection

The first step of a heating system tune-up is a thorough inspection of all of the major and minor components. This includes starting the unit to check for proper ignition capabilities monitoring the flue draft and checking for any leaks, and measuring the voltage. Besides inspecting your issue for proper operation they will also look for any safety concerns. A cracked heat exchanger may leak carbon monoxide into the home, a health hazard you cannot afford to ignore. Technicians will check any safety controls as well and look for any signs of gas leaks.

Cleaning and Adjustment

Additionally, a heating system tune-up involves some cleaning and any adjustments that can be made on site. Technicians will lubricate all moving parts, adjust the thermostat if necessary, and tighten any electrical connections. Finally, they may also clean and adjust the burner assembly, blower components, ignition assembly, and may change or clean your furnace filter, although you should also change this yourself every 1-3 months.

At Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer a thorough precision tune-up annually or semi-annually for your heating system and air conditioner when you sign up for our Residential Energy Savings Agreement.

You’ll get a 15% discount on repairs and many other great benefits for your unit when you join. For a thorough heating system tune up in Fountain, CO, give us a call!

Tags: Fountain, Heating System Tune Up
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