Air
Comfort Systems was recently recognized by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources for striking a blow against a
toxic waste hazard namely, home items that contain a dose of
mercury. ACS is part of a small group of southeastern Wisconsin
contractors who have been honored by the DNR for their pledge to
recycle mercury, which for years was used in thermometers and the
switching mechanisms in mechanical thermostats.
When contained within a thermostat or thermometer, mercury has
proved safe and useful. Swallowing, touching or breathing the
fumes of leaking mercury, on the other hand, can cause
neurological and kidney damage in humans. Mercury in the
environment also harms wildlife, and can stay in a dangerous form
for many years unless properly recycled.
Air Comfort Systems is one of only seven local companies working
with the DNR on safe mercury recycling. Part of the pledge
includes training the company's service and maintenance
technicians on the proper techniques for handling and recycling
of mercury. As an added service, Air Comfort Systems will
also accept thermometers which contain mercury.
Homeowners should know, stressed ACS president Jim Burns, that
their present thermostat isn't necessarily unsafe if it
contains a mercury switch. "What we're trying to avoid
is the do-it-yourselfer who replaces his old thermostat with a
new one, then throws the old one away," Burns said. "We
don't want to have mercury find its way into our landfills,
especially when it could be recycled and put to good
use." He warned homeowners against trying to remove
the mercury themselves, due to the danger of exposure. Recycling
the entire thermostat or thermometer is the preferred
approach.
The parts counter at Air Comfort Systems will accept thermostats for
recycling at any time during their normal business hours of 9 AM to 4 PM weekdays, 9 AM to 1 PM Saturdays. The parts counter
is located in our showroom at 635 South
70th Street in Milwaukee.
To arrange a FREE in-home estimate for new equipment, or for further information about us or any of the many home comfort services we offer, please leave us an e-mail message, leave your mailing address and/or phone number, and our representative will be calling you within the next business day.
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24-hour service 414/778-4190 |
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