PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Just as summer really heats up, Angie’s List is warning consumers to be on the lookout for companies or technicians using unapproved refrigerants to recharge their air conditioners. Potential risks include damaging your HVAC system or even causing a fire. For more than 60 years, most home air conditioning systems have used a refrigerant known as R-22, commonly known as Freon. But the Environmental Protection Agency is phasing that out in favor of a more efficient coolant, making R-22 harder to come by, but still in high demand, and its price is now soaring. “One of the rules in our industry is you don’t ever mix refrigerants. That’s a big no-no,” said HVAC professional Charles Holden. But that’s exactly what some service companies have been caught doing – using alternative coolants that are easier to get and cheaper to buy. They’re also much more dangerous. “A lot of them have propane or butane in them, which obviously can create a fire hazard or an explosion hazard, so it’s dangerous for homeowners to handle those refrigerants, and it’s illegal to put them in your system,” Holden said.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter “If you have an air conditioning system that still requires R-22 refrigerant, you want to be sure that’s actually what you’re getting when you hire a repairman to do work on your house. typical cost of air conditioning unitWe’re hearing trends of people getting R-22A instead, and that can actually damage your system or void your warranty,” Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks said.should ac unit be covered in winter R-22 comes in a light green tank and is clearly marked. home heating cooling unitsAsk your technician to show it to you before he recharges your system. “Most reputable contractors are not going to sacrifice their good standing in the industry for something like that.

That being said, there’s shady contractors and shady technicians everywhere,” Holden said. R-22 Prices can vary wildly – anywhere from 50 dollars-per-pound to hundreds of dollars-per-pound – and that figures to increase as production dwindles until it’s completely phased out over the next few years. A typical home system needs four to 10 pounds of Freon. Angie says you should consider upgrading your system if the cost of the service multiplied by the age of your system is greater than five thousand dollars. September 23, 2016 WAVERECORDINGS / EMPIRE SINGLE DEMI LOVATO STONE COLD HOLLYWOOD RECORDS & ISLAND RECORDS September 23, 2016 HOLLYWOOD RECORDS & ISLAND RECORDS SINGLE DEMI LOVATO COOL FOR THE SUMMER September 23, 2016 WARNER BROS. RECORDS ALBUM FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE H.O.L.Y. September 23, 2016 BMLG RECORDS SINGLE FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE ANYTHING GOES September 23, 2016 REPUBLIC NASHVILLE SINGLE KEYS N KRATES DUM DEE DUM

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Our goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope. We ask that all furniture items be donated in good condition, with no rips or stains. Our Wish List below outlines the items our families typically request. To arrange a pick-up, click on the Donate Furniture button below. For pick-ups, please provide us with as much advance notice as possible. In order for us to complete the pick-up and distribute your items in the best possible fashion, we ask for your help by ensuring that all items meet our guidelines. Please ensure available parking for our truck is legal and within 30 yards of the residence. If you live in Washington, DC  and do not have a driveway or loading dock for the truck to access, we ask that you reserve a parking permit through the DC Department of Transportation. For step-by-step instructions on how to reserve a permit, click here. Furniture & Household Goods Donations (mattresses, box springs, & frames) – Almost every family that we serve needs beds.

Please donate only those that are without rips or stains. as with beds, almost every one of our families needs dressers. Kitchen tables and chairs families prefer sets (single kitchen or dining room chairs rarely find homes). strollers, highchairs, changing tables, Pack ‘n Plays, car seats, infant and toddler clothing, cribs (due to recent recalls, we are unable to accept drop-side cribs) End tables and coffee tables Please donate only those that are without rips or stains. with remote, and color and cable-ready are best. Measuring diagonally across the screen, we can take TVs between 20” – 36” sets of dishes, silverware, pots & pans, toasters and microwaves Fans & Air Conditioning Units these often go into the homes of low-income seniors for whom they may be life-saving. Please ensure that they are in good working order and are cleaned/dusted. detergent, dish soap, household cleaners as long as they are models for which families can still buy the required bags

all sizes are needed comforters, blankets, and sheet sets our clients often need rope to tie items down for transport As a complement to our furniture distribution program – and in response to growing requests for support from those we serve – we are collecting The Essentials: Dried beans and lentils Toilet cleaner and brushes In order for us to provide the most dignified service to our neighbors, please donate these items in new (and unopened) condition. Thank you for helping us serve. A Wider Circle depends on donations from local community members, businesses, and civic organizations in order to provide services to our clients free of charge. We partner with Network for Good. Your donation can help in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of how a little can go a long way: $50 Provides a child or adult with all of the basic need items they need to live well – from beds, dressers, tables and chairs to sheets, towels, and personal care items.

$80  Fuels our trucks for a day. Your gift will help our trucks stay on the road and ensure that the families that come to us receive all of the items they need for their new homes. Give in honor of your loved one, and we will write his or her name on a truck for the gift’s duration. $250 Covers the cost of supplies and materials for a series of educational workshops (e.g., Job Skills, Nutrition, Healthy Parenting) at our Center for Professional Development. $500 Funds a beautification project at a low-income school or neighborhood Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We accept checks, cash, and credit card donations. To donate online, simply fill out the online donations form. A Wider Circle is pleased to partner with Network for Good to securely process your online credit card donation. If you wish to send a check, please make it out to “A Wider Circle” and send it to: Professional Attire and Accessories Donations

As a complement to our growing schedule of job preparedness and other adult education programs, we take clothing and accessory donations at this center seven days a week. When it comes to professional attire and accessories, we find that the best guide is, “Will these items best help an individual to look polished and professional in his or her job interview?” We are looking for the following items in great condition for our Professional Development Program: Dress shirts and blouses Please note that all items should be season-appropriate, clean, and on hangers.  Our volunteers send their thanks in advance! New Shoes (new only is the goal with shoes, unless you have a pair you purchased and never wore) Items can all be dropped off at our existing center, 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.  If you are doing a large drive and need a pick-up, simply call us at 301-608-3504, or schedule a pick up using the form above. Well Mother, Well Baby Donations