You know Medley for many things: HVAC services, furnace tune-ups, duct cleaning, insulation, and IAQ (indoor air quality) solutions, but have you ever thought of us as your personal Dallas-area digital event concierge? Support artists, teachers, and small businesses online during these chilly times, while staying warm by the furnace! Here are some fun events happening soon at a computer screen near you.

3/1
Vegetable Seed Starting
No need to worry whether your thumb is green. The (virtually) hands-on demonstrations and information shared in this webinar will take the guess work out of the garden! Many people began planting food over the past year. The gratification that comes with self-reliance, and the relaxing ritual of getting your hands in the soil can have far reaching benefits to your well-being. In this online class you’ll be introduced to countless vegetable seed varieties, learn the basics of organic, sustainable seed starting, and gain insight into the right timing, materials, and intel you need to grow and care for your little seedlings. Cost-effective and rewarding on so many levels, seed-starting is surprisingly easy. At the end of this session you’ll be ready to raise seedlings of your own for planting in your garden.

3/5 (on-going)
First Friday Sound Baths

Does your spirit feel like it needs a bath? We’ve all been through a lot over the past year. While we all have ways to attend to our emotional and mental health (some healthier than others), a “sound bath”, music played on singing bowls and gongs and other resonant instruments, is a nice way to immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of music. Join Brooklyn Music School’s Music Therapy Department for a “cleansing, relaxing, and reflective sound bath experience” on the first Friday of every month, and emerge feeling cleansed, rested and renewed.

3/6
Edible Plants for Emergencies

Building on the knowledge you may have picked up at the Vegetable Seed Starting webinar, with a little bit of “prepper” energy thrown in for good measure, this workshop focuses on edible, widely-available wild and cultivated plants, nutrient-dense “weeds”, and fast-growing annual plants that ensure a quick and abundant harvest. After 2020, we got a clearer glimpse into the fragility of our food system, and the Boy Scout Motto, “Always Be Prepared” is closer to the forefront of our awareness than before. Luckily, “growing your own” is not just practical, it’s also fun. This online workshop focuses on plants that are particularly useful in the context of emergencies. It covers solutions for limited spaces, urban and rural contexts, and helps deepen your connection to nature. If you’re seeking a diverse, long-term strategy for your food security, check out this webinar!

3/9
National Geographic Traveller UK Presents: Mountains, Moonshine and Barbe-cue

Sometimes we’re the most unfamiliar with the treasures in our own backyard. See your own “beautiful for spacious skies” through the eyes of the folks at Travel Geeks and National Geographic UK, where a panel of expert guests will be discussing all things North Carolina. From its fascinating heritage of Cherokee Indians, Bluebeard, and the growth of the Civil Rights Movement, to its bluegrass music, beer scene and sea turtles, the panel will discuss North Carolina’s culinary contributions, natural places to hike, camp and fish, and of course, moonshine! You’ll feel like you took a vacation during your staycation. You’ll hear from the experts as well have the opportunity to join in the lively debate.

We hope these suggestions inspired you! We at Medley are here to support you. If your furnace needs a mid-Winter tune-up or you want to make sure your IAQ is the healthiest it can be, give us a call at (972) 245-3132 or visit our website at www.callmedley.com to schedule a visit!

Winter is coming… will you be warm and comfortable through it all? A properly running HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in your home. After all, you invested in a furnace or HVAC system so the following article will help you maximize your investment. You can enjoy a warm, worry-free home through the fall and winter when you use these tips to maintain your HVAC system.

Locate all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the home and test them. Many have a push button for testing purposes that will alert you if it is working properly. Replace batteries in any battery powered devices. Check the expiration date of these devices and replace them if they are beyond the date of expiration.

Locate all the vent and air exchange covers in your home and ensure they are free of dust and debris, and are not blocked by furniture or large objects. This will help to keep dust from blowing around your home and also make sure proper air flow and consistent heat to each room.

Clean and/or replace your HVAC filters regularly (as often as is recommended by the furnace manufacturer or your HVAC installing expert). In many cases, you may need to replace the filter every month (if you have pets) or replace the filter every 3-4 months. I personally recommend at minimum checking the air filter monthly to form the habit of checking it. Medley recommends doing this when you pay your electric bill for the month. This makes it easy to remember.

Have your ducts cleaned regularly. Before winter is a great time to have them cleaned because the windows will be closed for winter so you won’t get new dust and debris coming in. Vacuum your home around the same time to eliminate any dust that is currently outside of the ductwork, to keep it from cycling back in.

Test your HVAC system before you need it. Run your system and listen for unusual sounds or smells.

You’ll want to do this for two reasons.

1. First, you might notice a very slight burning smell as a small amount of dust burns off of the heating unit, so it’s nice to be able to open the windows and air that out. (Note: the burning smell should disappear quickly. If it persists or is very strong, shut your HVAC unit down and call an HVAC expert right away.)
2. Second, testing your HVAC system before you need it means that if there is a problem, you can get it fixed right away instead of being uncomfortably cold while the system is being repaired!

If you try running your HVAC system and it doesn’t turn on, look at the following things first:

• Is your HVAC unit plugged in?
• Is the air filter clean?
• Did you check the circuit breakers to make sure they are in the correct position?
• Do the batteries need to be changed in your thermostat?

These 4 simple steps could be the difference between an HVAC system that works and one that doesn’t.

If your HVAC unit has pipes that connect to the outside of your house in Allen, TX (such as exhaust and fresh air intake pipes), make sure they are clear of debris and not blocked by anything.

If you need to call an HVAC expert let them know what you have already tried during the phone conversation. This will help them serve you more efficiently.

Summary

With the colder weather on its way, it’s important to make sure that your home is safe and comfortable for your family. That means making sure your HVAC system is running the way you want it to run. Use these tips and ideas to help you have a more comfortable home for your family.