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Backflow Prevention History - Case Study

Terri Carey • August 7, 2023

Heating System Anti-Freeze Enters Potable Water Supply

Bangor, Maine, water department employees discovered poisonous anti-freeze in a homeowner's heating system and potable water supply in November, 1981. The incident occurred when they shut off the potable water service to the home to make repairs. With the flow of water to the house cut off, pressure in the lines in the house dropped and the anti-freeze, placed in the heating system to prevent freeze-up of an unused hot water heating system, drained out of the heating system into the house water lines and flowed out to the street. If it had not been noticed, it would have entered the homeowner's drinking water when the water pressure was restored.

~Information obtained from the Backflow Prevention Reference Manual 2nd Edition IAPMO~

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Energy Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

By Terri Carey • February 25, 2025

1. Don't touch that dial. We recommend installing a programmable thermostat. You can program to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you are sleeping or away. This can cut your energy bill from 10 to 30 percent. 2. Look for high SEER ratings. SEER is the acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the federally mandated rating system for energy efficiency of air conditioners. For the ultimate in efficiency and climate control, look for air conditioners containing the new two-stage Copeland Scroll UltraTech compressors made by Emerson. 3. Make routine maintenance a priority. There are a number of routine maintenance tasks that homeowners can do on their own, such as regularly changing disposable air filters (or cleaning electronic air cleaners) on the indoor blower unit: keeping debris away from the outdoor unit; and hosing off the condenser fins on the outdoor unit. But just like regular tune-ups for your car, it really pays to have a contractor inspect and service your air conditioning and furnace system annually to make sure it is operating at peak performance. Tip: Be sure your contractor is licensed, well trained, insured, and experienced.