F.H. Furr's Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical Insider Blog

There's been quite a lot of research coming out lately about the power of UV light and its disinfecting properties. This is something that we've known for awhile, which is why we install UV-C air cleaners in our customers homes... 

If you've been interested in experiencing cleaner, fresher, and healthier air, you might have started researching UV light air cleaners. If so, you've likely noticed a lot of products are out there. A simple Google search will lead you to pages upon pages of shopping options, from tabletop UV lamps to heavy-duty air purifiers that sit in the corner of a room whirring loudly and taking up space. So with so many options to choose from, how do you know what the best type of air cleaner is for your home? When you narrow it down, there are really two types: portable and whole-home air cleaners. Here are a few pros and cons to help you choose the right UV air cleaner for you!

Most electrical fires start from electric wires, cables, and overloaded circuit breakers.

"According to data from Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 50,000 home electrical fires occur annually with nearly 500 deaths and over 1,400 injuries."

School Is In Session! The Subject? GCFI Outlets And How They Keep You Safer!

There is an average of 70 electrical outlets in most U.S. homes, and since the 1980's, GFCI electrical outlets are a requirement for several types of rooms...and here's why!

GCFI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and these interrupters help to minimize the risk of  overheating, electric shock injuries, burns, and fires . The outlet's sensors monitor the input and output of the electrical current levels being passed through an outlet. If the GFCI technology senses any electrical current imbalance, the device will quickly cut off the power supply to prevent damage or injury. 

Don't panic right away if your water heater starts to leak! A leaking water heater doesn't always mean it will be a costly repair. Call your local, friendly plumber to help get your leak fixed! 

Disinfectant is in high demand these days. With people clamoring for hand sanitizers and aerosol sprays in grocery stores, one might be wondering; what is the ultimate form of disinfectant? 

Priorities have certainly changed over the past few weeks, and maintaining health, distance, and sterilization have risen to the top of everyone's list. Most are doing their part to stay home as much as possible, and many states are requiring residents to wear face masks while shopping for essentials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most N95 face masks used by health care workers are designed for single-use, to be worn and then thrown out after they've been contaminated with germs throughout the day. But with a shortage of quality masks, many are left wondering how to keep their masks clean enough to reuse. 

As summer swiftly approaches, you’ll begin to notice that dreaded DC Metro Area humidity seeping into your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the ideal level of humidity in the home is 45%, but around here that level is nearly impossible to achieve as temperatures rise. When you ignore that excessive humidity and turn up your cooling to compensate, your utility bills will soar, and this is why so many homes are so expensive to keep cool during the summer months. A Whole-Home dehumidifier can help to create a more balanced environment while minimizing contaminants like mold and mildew, improving your indoor air quality in the process. 

Wondering how you can tell if your home is overly-humid? Here are 6 ways to spot a dire need for a dehumidifier in your home:

When you look online these days, there are resources on every website for everything you can think of, and many of them say varying things. If you’re at home and looking for ways to ensure that your plumbing system can handle your family’s needs this spring and summer, why not look at it from a plumber’s perspective? 

We’ve asked several of our veteran plumbing specialists how they personally prepare their homes for the year? Take a look at these simple steps that you can take to maintain and prep your home’s plumbing system!

In Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC, the rain can be somewhat unpredictable.

How much, when, where...all unpredictable. If you're worried each time a dark cloud hovers overhead, check out this infographic.

Want to binge-watch your favorite movies and shows during the quarantine? Enter our "Stay-At-Home Sweepstakes!" 

We know that you and your family have been doing your part to stay home and stay safe! That's why we’re providing the entertainment and giving away a 1 year subscription of your choice to: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+!

To enter the sweepstakes, you’ll need to LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT one fun thing that you’ve done during your quarantine! 

After several months of cool winter weather, spring is finally here, and most of us are doing our best to get outdoors and enjoy some of nature’s beauty. Yet, with social distancing in effect, we find ourselves in our homes far more than we’ve ever been. When those spring time allergies are at their worst, all you want to do is crawl into your bed, hoping for some relief! But many homeowners are noticing that their allergy symptoms don’t improve once they’re in their house, in fact, many are finding that their symptoms are actually worse inside! 

So if your home is where you’re supposed to feel the most comfortable, how do you get itchy, watery eyes, running nose and incessant sneezing to stop at your door? Here are 3 simple tips to improve your indoor air quality and help bring you relief from your warm-weather allergy symptoms, while also improving your health all year long.