May 19, 2010
What Is A Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an efficient method of cooling your home in the summer and warming it in the winter.
WHY CHOOSE A HEAT PUMP?
A new energy efficient heat pump is a good investment, providing years... [full story]
May 13, 2010
Sink Sprays and Diverters
A kitchen sink spray has a spray head attached to a hose, which is connected to a diverter valve in the faucet body. When you squeeze the spray head handle, the diverter valve reroutes water from the faucet to the... [full story]
May 6, 2010
When Replacing The Outdoor Unit Of An Air Conditioner...
When replacing the outdoor unit of an air conditioner or heat pump, should the indoor unit also be replaced?
The answer is YES, and here are the reasons why!
MATCHED SYSTEM DESIGN... [full story]
April 30, 2010
Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
Though routine use of chemical drain cleaners to prevent clogs may eventually damage your pipes, these cleaners can be helpful in opening clogged drains. If water is draining somewhat, but plunging has failed to... [full story]
April 22, 2010
What Are Furnace Ratings?
Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization ratio (AFUE), which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. Like the miles per gallon on your car, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower... [full story]
April 15, 2010
Why is ventilation important for proper indoor air quality?
We were once able to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by merely opening a window. However, with the concern for energy efficiency in recent years, we have been busy making homes “tighter” from an energy... [full story]
April 8, 2010
Clearing Drains with a Plunger
FRESH AIR - April 8, 2010 -
The plunger is a good drain-clearing tool, but it often fails to work because it's incorrectly used. Don't make the typical mistake of pumping up and down two or three times,... [full story]
April 1, 2010
What’s the advantage of two-stage heating?
Two-stage technology allows furnaces to automatically adjust heating output to maintain consistent comfort throughout your home. More consistent airflow results in quieter operation and enhanced indoor air quality.... [full story]
March 25, 2010
Why Should I Choose A Variable Furnace?
There are many reasons for choosing a variable speed furnace, but the main reason is comfort. The term “variable speed” refers to the furnace’s fan motor, which moves at different speeds to precisely... [full story]
March 18, 2010
Sink Drains
A stopped sink drain isn't just an inconvenience; it can sometimes be an emergency. It's always best to prevent clogs before they happen. Be alert to the warning signs of a sluggish drain. It's easier to open a drain that's... [full story]
March 10, 2010
Will My New Furnace Work Differently Than My Old One?
Maybe. When you install a new indoor comfort system if your home, you’ll probably notice it operates differently than your old system. Radical changes have taken place in the technology of the comfort industry in... [full story]
March 4, 2010
Troubleshooting Electric Water Heaters
When an electric heater has problems, suspect the heating elements, their thermostats, and the high-temperature cutoff.
The two heating elements (upper and lower), immersed in water, are controlled... [full story]
February 11, 2010
More Ways To Keep Your Indoor Air Healthy
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your home is most likely a very toxic environment. Believe it or not, your home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside.
1 Fend... [full story]
February 4, 2010
Ways to Keep Your Indoor Air Healthy
Don't be overwhelmed by indoor air pollution. Here's some quick tips that can make a profound difference!
The old cliché “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” has... [full story]
January 27, 2010
Air Conditioner Tune-Ups
We recommend annual air conditioning check-ups in the spring and furnace check-ups every fall. Although regular checkups will not absolutely guarantee that a unit will continue to work perfectly throughout the season,... [full story]
January 14, 2010
What Is BioClean?
BIO-CLEAN is... a blend of bacteria and enzymes. The bacteria are natural, not genetically-engineered. The enzyme concentration is the most powerful on the market.
SAFE
Bio-Clean is non-poisonous.... [full story]
January 7, 2010
Why Hire A Licensed Contractor?
Renovating or building your home should be a positive experience free from stress and worry. But did you know that electrical and gas installations and renovations can pose some of the most serious safety risks in the... [full story]
January 7, 2010
Heat Pumps
Choosing A Heat Pump
Make sure the heat pump is the right size for your space. If it is too small or too large it may not heat the space effectively.
Like most white goods, heat pumps now... [full story]
December 17, 2009
Furnace Repair
Q: I started my furnace and set it at the temperature I needed. It ran fine and did reach the temperature, but after a few minutes it kicked on again. It would run for approximately ten minutes and shut off. The... [full story]
December 10, 2009
Moisture Balance With A Humidifier System
Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry and cause or aggravate respiratory ailments. During extremely cold weather, your home loses humidity to the outdoors and may drop to as low as 5 percent. Optimal... [full story]
December 10, 2009
Repair Or Replace Your Heating System?
Deciding when it’s time to repair or replace your heating and cooling system can be difficult. As with a car or any other mechanical system, there are many factors to consider, including the age and condition of... [full story]
December 3, 2009
Boiler And Radiator Systems
Boilers and radiators are not often installed in new homes, but many older residences feature this type of heating system, and steam or hot-water heating is still the system of choice for many apartments and multi-family... [full story]
November 19, 2009
Plumbing Emergencies
In a plumbing emergency, you need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this, you and each member of the family needs to know the location of the shut off valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff... [full story]
November 12, 2009
Furnace Filters FAQ
1. Question: Does my furnace have a filter?
Answer: That depends on what type of furnace you have. If you have a warm air furnace then you have an air filter. If you have a boiler and radiators then you... [full story]
November 5, 2009
Thinking Of Replacing Your HVAC System?
Have you been thinking of replacing or upgrading your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump?
The timing could not be better with the grants that are available right now.
Retrofit Your Home... [full story]
October 29, 2009
All About Flood Stopper Systems
What is FloodStoppers?
The FloodStopper System uses a completely automated control panel, similar to an alarm system, electronic sensors, to detect a water leak, and a valve on the main water line to shut... [full story]
October 22, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Filters
Question: Does my furnace have a filter?
Answer: That depends on what type of furnace you have. If you have a warm air furnace then you have an air filter. If you have a boiler and radiators then you probably... [full story]
October 15, 2009
Furnace Tune-Up Q&A
Q: Last year when we turned on the furnace for the first time one morning, it smelled so bad we were worried it was carbon monoxide or something else was wrong. Is this normal?
A: The odor is normal... [full story]
October 8, 2009
Fixing Common Toilet Leaks
Toilet leaks can waste as much as four to five gallons of water per minute and cost you up to $100.00 per month in increased water and wastewater bills. Toilet leaks occur in two ways and are often very difficult to detect.... [full story]
October 1, 2009
Energy Saving Tips
Heating and Cooling
-Let your thermostat control your heater. Try adjusting your heat to around 18-21˚C.
-Use the correct size heater for the room. Overheating wastes energy, while... [full story]
September 24, 2009
All About Thermostats
Thermostats control nearly all types of heating and cooling equipment, keeping room temperatures within a set range. By doing so, they ensure comfort, cut energy waste, and offer considerable convenience.
A... [full story]
September 17, 2009
FRESH AIR
Noisy Pipes
Pipe noises range from loud hammering sounds to high-pitched squeks. The causes may be loose pipes, water logged air chambers, or water pressure that’s too high. Anchoring exposed pipes... [full story]
September 3, 2009
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and... [full story]
August 20, 2009
27 Ways To Reduce Your Emissions
1.Insulate your house.
2.Conserve heat by caulking around vents and window and door frames, sills, and joints (and any objects that penetrate exterior walls).
3.Plug gaps around pipes, ducts,... [full story]
August 13, 2009
Saving Water Inside And Out
A leaking faucet can waste 5,000 gallons a year. A leaking toilet left for one month can waste 1,500 gallons. Not sure if you have a leak? Read your water meter before and after a 2 hour period when you are not using any... [full story]
August 6, 2009
Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs
No plumbing problem is more common or more frustrating than a clogged drain.
• Kitchen sink drains clog most often because a buildup of grease that traps food particles
• Hair and soap... [full story]
July 20, 2009
Keeping Cool In The Heat
Maintain Your Cooling Equipment
Change or clean your air-conditioner’s filters regularly. Keep window units and outdoor air conditioning units free of vines, leaves and other debris.
Reduce... [full story]
July 13, 2009
Heat Pumps versus Central Air Conditioners
In this age of high energy costs and environmental awareness, choosing the right cooling system for our homes is a crucial decision. The two main options are air conditioning systems or heat pumps. Let's take a look at... [full story]
July 6, 2009
All About Air Conditioners
Air Conditioners are powered by electricity, and a lot of energy is needed to run them. They also use a refrigerant to transfer heat from indoors to outdoors. This refrigerant circulates through a closed-circuit loop of... [full story]
June 25, 2009
HVAC Tips For Beginners
Here I will be explaining some Hvac tips that you can do around the house that could save you some money on your electric bill. These tips will be most aimed towards keeping your house cool and getting the most out of... [full story]
June 15, 2009
Central Air Conditioning
This information will help clarify and answer some questions about central air conditioning
New or existing system: Knowing your plans for A/C installation will help your service provider give you a more... [full story]