5 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Even in a good economy people want to save money on necessities like food and energy. The abundance allows one to save for college, a new home or car, a vacation, or retirement. Many Americans are challenged these days by the tough economy, so we at the Comfort Zone of the Carolinas would like to offer you 5 unique tips on how to save money on your home energy bills, including the heating and air you need to keep your home comfortable.

1) Heating and Air – Let’s start with what we cognitively are aware of on a daily basis – our home heating and air unit. If it is not working properly it will cost you money. It is estimated that 75% of most home AC units are not working at full capacity similar to having only 3 pistons out of 4 working right in your car. Sure, the car will run, but not efficiently. Your heating and air system should each be checked out once a year to make sure it is operating properly and to avoid a system breakdown on the hottest day of the year.

2) Air Ducts – We need to do more than replace the air filters in our home once a month; we need to have our air ducts cleaned as dust, dirt, bugs, and mold find refuge in these ducts creating poor air quality in our home. As well, your air duct system may have leaks allowing expensive air to escape before it ever gets to you. This is a waste of money. A heating and air company like Comfort Zone can clean your air ducts quickly and efficiently to avoid ac system repair and replacement.

3) Insulation – When was the last time you checked your insulation? What is its condition, and is it providing adequate coverage in your home? Many homes are not properly insulated which means valuable air that you paid for is escaping without providing you the comfort you expect.

4) Geothermal Energy – Geothermal heating and air is quickly becoming a very popular alternative to traditional heating and air units because they last 3-5 times longer than a standard system, and provide heating and air at virtually no cost to the home owner. Click here for more information: Geothermal heating and air.

5) Alternate Energy Supplier – Some areas in the US allow competition for energy where consumers have more power, and get better prices, over which energy provider they choose. Research your area to see if competition is allowed – you could probably save money on your home heating and air costs.

Comfort Zone of the Carolinas hopes this helps get you save money. Please contact us at 803-250-2317, or fill out a contact form and we’ll gladly help you get your heating and air system operating efficiently to save you money!

Comfort Zone serves the following areas:

Heating and Air Chester * Heating and Air Clover * Heating and Air Fort Mill * Heating and Air Great Falls * Heating and Air Indian Land * Heating and Air Kershaw * Heating and Air Lancaster * Heating and Air Rock Hill * Heating and Air Tega Cay * Heating and Air York

Second floor of the Dalton Building

The second floor of the Dalton building has been renovated and is ready for lease. It looks great!



Contact Joe Lanford for more information.

803-242-7436

joelanford@comporium.net

Check out more photos here

2000 square feet class of A office space in completely renovated historic building.

• Located in center of Old Town on Main Street at the end of Elk Avenue with walking access to numerous restaurants and other amenities downtown.
• Located on second floor with elevator access from front lobby and stair access from parking area.
• Spacious offices with large windows in each office.
• Private rear entrance.
• Private bathrooms.
• Large gallery space with borrowed light windows.
• Small kitchenette.
• Front and Rear lobby.
• Building is on the National Register of Historic Places and won Historic Rock Hill's Preservation Award.
• Designated private parking spaces near door in addition to large parking lot in rear.
• Large outdoor rooftop terrace with view in addition to smaller shaded private terrace.
• Office furnishings (desks, etc.) available if desired.

Leasing and contact information

Why Call An Auto Accident Lawyer?

If you've been in an auto accident, call an auto accident lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

One of the leading causes worldwide, not just in towns like Rock Hill SC, are auto accidents, and when one occurs, one of the first things people in an auto accident should do is hire an auto accident lawyer. In spite of stricter laws, safer vehicles, and more public awareness, auto accidents occur regularly, and sometimes are tragically unavoidable. Along with insurance information, it is wise for one to carry the number of an auto accident lawyer with them in case of an auto accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration there is an auto accident every minute of each day, accounting for over 5 million accidents each year with 43,000 deaths and 2.9 million injuries as a result of these auto accidents. As horrifying, a child dies every three minutes in an auto accident.

There are many factors that help create an auto accident, such as road and lighting conditions, a lack of driver awareness, in-car distractions, alcohol and drug use by the driver, mechanical problems in the car, and poor eyesight. Impairment, though, is the number one cause for auto accidents, which makes it the most avoidable condition. Impairment emboldens the driver to make the unfortunate decision to get behind the wheel, and their inability to make proper and good judgments while driving follow quickly.

In addition to physical injury, financial loss can sometimes be just as devastating. If permanent disability occurs to a victim of an auto accident, an auto accident lawyer, like F. Craig Wilkerson in Rock Hill SC, should be contacted immediately to make sure your rights and welfare is protected, and that your long-term financial needs can be met. “Other than medical attention, it is imperative that someone injured in an auto accident contact a lawyer right away,” Attorney Wilkerson says, “so evidence can be attained to help you in the pursuit of justice, that your rights may be fully protected.”

Lost wages, medical bills, mortgage payments, education, clothing, assistance, and living expenses can and will be affected. This is why having an auto accident lawyer to help you in your quest to gain what is rightfully yours should be one of your most immediate responses to being in an auto accident.

A good auto accident lawyer will quickly gather evidence from the crime scene, police reports and hospital reports to begin outlining a plan to help you get compensated properly. With cell phones having cameras, Craig Wilkerson advises that one “take as many color pictures as possible at the scene of the accident as they show more detail than black and white’s.” This begins the process of making sure your rights are upheld. Additionally, Wilkerson advises that you do not talk to the offender’s insurance company as they will try and get you to say things that will hurt your case.

If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident, call an auto accident lawyer immediately for a better future.

Urgent Care Centers Helping People During Heat Wave

Dehydration and heat exhaustion force people to urgent care centers during heat wave

Urgent care centers have been packed with people suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion in cities and towns all over this nation the last few days. From Boston to Raleigh to Columbus and Chicago, from Oklahoma to Georgia to Maine, Americans are suffering in one of the most brutal and dangerous heat waves in recent memory.

The temperature keeps rising and rising, and with it the air quality turns poor, the heat index pops off the charts and AC companies can’t keep up with the requests for service.

As air conditioning units break down in businesses and homes, the possible danger for heat stroke and heat-related sickness increases dramatically.

Dr. Gal Margalit of the Piedmont Urgent Care in Rock Hill and Fort Mill, SC shares strong warnings for those who work outside, like those in construction, roofing, or deliver mail, to be “very careful to stay hydrated, get rest, and do not over-exert yourself or we will see you in here.”

His urgent care center has seen kids who have been playing outside and the poor elderly really afflicted during this heat wave. “We’ve had a few patients who already suffer with breathing ailments, such as CPOD, come in for further treatment.” He recommends that if you know some elderly people to go and check on them and make sure their AC units are operating properly and that they have enough fresh water to drink.

It’s not safe for kids to play or be outside during temperatures rising to over 100 degrees. When this occurs, thunder and lightning showers are sure to follow, making visits outside a cool environment that much more dangerous. And because the heat bakes the ground dry, flash floods can take place. Urgent care facilities are prepared to handle all but non-life threatening injuries, but see these phenomena only during summer days like we are having now.

Firefighters might have the most dangerous jobs on a day like this. When responding to an actual fire they must don their fire retardant suits and head into even hotter environments with great courage.

At the Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Rock Hill, Dr. Margalit and his staff continue giving IV’s to two teenagers who thought it would be a great day to go out into the country and play fish. Though they started early in the day, they weren’t prepared for the morning humidity and heat and didn’t hydrate themselves and they became sick. “They’ll be released shortly, but people need to know how dangerous the heat is. Don’t go out in it if you don’t have to.”

Piedmont Medical Center Receives Certificate of Distinction For Stroke Care

Piedmont is 1 of 4 hospitals in state of South Carolina to be accredited for Stroke Care

Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC is one of only four (4) hospitals in the state of South Carolina to have been accredited by the prestigious Joint Commission to be a Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center. This is extremely significant for the people of York County, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lancaster, SC, Chester, SC and surrounding areas, because the state also is 2^nd in the nation in stroke deaths. Having a center that has demonstrated the highest level of medical response, treatment and care for stroke victims will mean many lives will be saved, and many more families comforted.

The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Achievement of certification signifies that the services that Piedmont Medical Center provides have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It is the best signal to Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York and beyond that the quality care they provide is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. In fact, demonstrating compliance with these national standards and performance measurement expectations may help obtain contracts from employers and purchasers concerned with controlling costs and improving productivity.

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification program was developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association. It is based on the Brain Attack Coalition's "Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers." In fact, strokes are otherwise known as “brain attacks.” Immediate care is needed to in hopes of survival and recovery.

Piedmont Medical Center is part of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and jointly doctors are able to use secure video and audio to diagnose a patient s condition and devise a solution 24/7. For example, the clot-busting drug Alteplase [TPA] (available through Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, SC) can save lives and health, but not all hospitals can administer it properly. The window for receiving the drug is small, only three hours from symptom onset. Patients can receive this advanced treatment without risky, time-consuming transfer to another center.

Persons showing stroke symptoms need immediate emergency medical care. Recognizing stroke's symptoms and receiving the kind of advanced care available at Piedmont can save lives and health of stroke patients. Every minute counts.

Use the acronym F.A.S.T. to help determine whether someone may be having a stroke.

F= Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?

A = Arms: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech: Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T = Time: If a person shows any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately.

Other symptoms may include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, sudden confusion, sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or a severe headache with no known cause. Again, if these symptoms exist and are compounded, please call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately, especially one like Piedmont Medical Center that is accredited to work with stroke victims.

Chicago White Sox Pitcher John Danks Pitches Tonight For Charlotte Knights!

A 14 game winner in 2010, Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks, whose brother Jordan is a star player for the Charlotte Knights, takes the mound tonight for them on rehab after an injury. Game time at 7:15.

It is also Autism Awareness Night at the stadium. There will be a silent auction for specially designed jerseys the Charlotte Knights players will be wearing. 100% of proceeds goes to the Autism Awareness of North Carolina non-profit organization.

For more information visit the Charlotte Knights home page at http://www.charlotteknights.com

Top 10 Things You Need To Know About an Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor

Ten Things You Need To Know About an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor

Why ENT Specialists are important for your and your family

This may not have been the foremost topic on your mind this morning when you awoke, but if you are experiencing any problems with your ears, nose or throat, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with an ENT doctor.

ENT doctors specialize in the health and well-being of the human ears, nose and throat. There are many things you may want to know about an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist before you need to visit one.

The Otolaryngoloists, (ear, nose and throat doctors) at Central Carolina Ear, Nose, Throat and audiology Centers of Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lancaster, SC, Indiana Land, and Chester, want you to know the following

1. ENT doctors must specialize in otolaryngology. Otolaryngology or ENT (ear, nose and throat) is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat and head and neck disorders. The full name of the specialty is otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.
2. Doctors who want to specialize in otolaryngology must complete a five-year residency program where they learn to complete surgeries within the head and neck. One of the years is in general surgical training, and four years of Otolaryngology training.
3. ENT is the oldest specialty in the medical field, first being established in Kansas City, MO in 1896. I bet this surprised you!
4. Ear, nose and throat doctors have expertise in the maintenance and diseases of the ears, nasal passages, sinuses, voice box or larynx, nose, oral cavity, throat and mouth.
5. These doctors have a wide range of knowledge about the structures of the neck and the face. They are fully trained in all things from the neck up. If someone says you are a pain in the neck, ask them if they are an ENT!
6. Inner and outer ear issues include hearing disorders, ear infections, facial or cranial nerve disorders, balance disorders, birth and cancerous disorders. They can be experts in audiology also, and usually have audiologists in their practices, like the ones at Central Carolina Ear, Nose, Throat and Audiology Centers.
7. The issues that ENT doctors focus on for the nose include care of the nasal and sinus cavities, allergies, sense of smell, breathing and the overall appearance of the nose.
8. Throat problems may include diseases of the larynx, voice box, esophagus and swallowing.
9. ENT specialists usually work with a group of doctors to complete the most successful plan to repair a problem. Doctors in this group may include plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, oncologists and pediatricians.
10. Ear, nose and throat doctors treat both children and adults, and are both surgeons and medical practioners, so you most likely won’t need to be referred to another doctor.

Remember to consult your ear, nose and throat doctor if you ongoing or recurring symptoms from your neck and above.