Tag: HVAC

Controlling Radon in Your Home During Winter

January 3, 2022

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States and Canada. The odorless, colorless gas can go undetected in a home for years and only get noticed when it’s too late. During the winter, radon levels can spike indoors and pose even more of a threat to you. With January being Radon Action Month, it’s a great opportunity to lower your radon risk during the colder months. Radon and the Cold As the temperature begins to drop outside, radon levels can start to rise in your home. Winter is almost equal to summertime in terms of radon spikes. Although everyone has minimal exposure to radon at all times, certain factors can contribute to you being exposed to unsafe levels. A few of the causes of higher radon during cold months are: Stuck Inside Winter brings with it chilly temperatures that usually keep us inside. However, being stuck inside for several months can be dangerous. If your home already has above-safe levels of radon, you’re increasing the chances of severe health risks by staying shut in. Especially if you have a below-ground level that you like to spend time in, you’re putting yourself even closer to

Turn Up the Heat: Prepping Your HVAC System for Winter

November 8, 2021

As the colder months roll in, it’s time to start preparing your home for chilly weather. One item you need to have on your weatherization to-do list is readying your HVAC system. Especially in locations that get sub-zero temperatures, your heating system will start working overtime. But before you flip on your heater, you need to ensure that it’s ready to go. Change out your air filters. Prior to turning your heater on, swap out the old air filters. These are one of the most important components of keeping your HVAC running efficiently. Clean air filters will also help if you suffer from allergies by cutting down on the amount of dust that’s recycled through your home. There are certain filters that are less porous and catch more dirt to cut down on allergens. However, these styles can hinder airflow and make your HVAC overheat. Clear space around your heater and vents. Being able to easily access your heater is essential to maintaining it. That means moving any furniture, boxes, or kid’s toys that are blocking your path. Keep about a three-foot radius around your heater to allow for maintenance work and prevent anything nearby from catching on fire. If

Top 10 Summer Home Maintenance Projects

May 17, 2021

Summer is the perfect time to tackle all those big tasks on your to-do list. Here are the top 10 chores you should do to keep your home looking great and its components running smoothly. Clean Your HVAC Cleaning your HVAC system can help prolong its life and improve its efficiency. Inside your home: Outside your home: Clean Your Grill Grease accumulation on your grill could present a fire hazard. Consider a cleaning routine after each use, and a more detailed cleaning 1-2 times per season. Deck and Patio Maintenance Lack of maintenance with your deck can present numerous safety issues. In addition, a run-down deck can detract from your home’s curb appeal. Pest Control Warmer weather brings about more wildlife, which can be both a concern to your home’s physical structure and your personal health. It’s a good idea to have your home professionally treated on a scheduled basis. Clean Ceiling Fans One of the possible reasons your fan “wobbles” while running is that the fan blades have a dust or dirt buildup. Clean Window Screens Cleaning your windows is one of those routine maintenance items that’s often forgotten. Generally, all you’ll need is a bucket of water with

5 Easy Ways to Save on Your AC Bill

May 3, 2021

Everyone looks forward to the warm weather that the summer season brings–until it turns their house into a sauna. With above-average temperatures projected for this year, you might find yourself staying inside more and cranking up the air in an effort to beat the heat. However, running your AC on high all summer puts a strain on your cooling system and your bank account. Here are our tips on how you can still keep cool, extend your HVAC’s life, and lower your bills all at once! 1. Open Things UpIt seems counterproductive to open your house during a heat wave, but doing so during certain periods of the day can actually help cool it off. The early morning or late night hours tend to be cooler than the middle of the day and you can use it to your advantage. A nice, refreshing breeze through your home simulates your air conditioner and blows out all that stuffy air that comes from keeping your house sealed up. Check out the weather forecast to determine the best time to crack your windows. Setting up a few box fans by your windows can really get air moving. 2. Block Out Direct RaysYour home’s

What Does a Home Inspector Do?

January 7, 2020

The process of buying or selling your home is a complex process. From the moment you put your house on the market to the closing paperwork, there are a lot of moving pieces all working in sequence to make sure things go smoothly. One of the most important steps that’s often overlooked is your home inspection. You may be familiar with the concept, but what does a home inspector actually do? What a Home Inspector DoesA home inspector is trained to make a complete assessment of a home and its many components. This assessment, which is comprehensively documented in a report given to the home buyer or seller, is designed to provide useful information about the current condition of the home. This most often includes information about the age and condition of a home’s most costly structures like the roof, HVAC and electrical systems. Home inspections give peace of mind to home buyers that they’re making the best decision possible with their investment, and home sellers can benefit from knowing what repairs should be completed before starting negotiations with buyers. A Visual, Non-Invasive InspectionWhen you hire a home inspector, you’ll see that they describe their services as a “visual and

Your 7-Item Checklist for an Efficient Air Conditioner

July 10, 2019

If there’s one thing you don’t want going out on you when you’re in the throes of summer, it’s your AC. Whether you use your home’s air conditioning system regularly or not, these maintenance tips will help you keep your system in great working order when the heat wave comes. 1. Start with your thermostat.When was the last time you replaced your thermostat? If you’ve just moved into your new home, what do you know about it? If it’s been awhile, you might be working with an outdated model. In that case, it’s worth looking into springing for a programmable, energy-efficient thermostat. Most can be controlled remotely from your phone for ultimate savings. 2. Look out for wear on exposed ductwork.Worn ductwork is one of the biggest culprits for cooling loss in your home. Look for visible signs of damage and wear. 3. Check the flow of your air vents.You never know what might be blocking airflow, from furniture to curtains to your child’s toys. Walk room to room and be sure that all the air vents are free of obstructions. We promise it’ll make a difference! 4. Make sure your drain line isn’t clogged.Mounted above your furnace, you should

How You Can DIY Common Fixes Around the Home

April 18, 2019

By Bret Engle of the blog DIYGuys.net Hiring a contractor for every small thing that happens around the home can quickly add up. Instead, it’s wise to know what you can do yourself and what truly needs a professional hand. Here are some tips and tricks to mastering basic DIY projects around your property. When to Consider ProfessionalsGranted, going through video after video on YouTube isn’t exactly a recipe for a fun evening or weekend. Furthermore, you may also be frustrated in your efforts to find a DIY solution relevant to your problem. If this proves to be the case, there are many professional avenues you have at your disposal. You can go online to find reputable contractors and be on your way to having your maintenance done. Unclogging DrainsClogged drains, whether in the kitchen or bathroom, can pose as many risks as they do inconveniences. Yet, dealing with it is accessible enough that it can be achieved with just a few household products, such as baking soda and vinegar. Using natural options is preferable to chemical cleaners, as these are harmful to the environment and can degrade your plumbing. An organic solution will displace any accumulated grime and debris

A Christmas Story: Fighting the Furnace

December 17, 2018

Everybody knows that scene from A Christmas Story—a belch of black smoke drifts up from a floor register, and The Old Man cracks his knuckles, tromping down the basement stairs to do battle with his furnace once again. The situation is classic, but it’s a lot funnier when it’s not happening to you. If you want to spend the holidays upstairs with your family, not down in the basement inventing curses that would make Santa shudder, just follow these tips to keep your furnace running at its best. 1. Remember your annual maintenance.If you can’t remember the last time a professional looked at your furnace, the time is now. Having your furnace professionally cleaned and maintained once a year is by far the easiest way to avoid failure that could leave you feeling cold and grinchy. Remember, maintenance isn’t just for fixing big problems, it’s for catching the small problems before they get worse. 2. Replace your air filters.Next on the list of easy ways to avoid a furnace breakdown is changing out your air filters regularly. Depending on where you live, you may have to replace your filters more or less often, but a general rule of thumb is

Your Holiday Home Maintenance Checklist

December 7, 2018

Once you find yourself in the rush of the holiday season, home maintenance becomes the last thing on your mind. It turns out, though, that making sure the halls are in great shape for winter is just as important as decking them. This holiday home maintenance checklist is designed to make your life easier once your first guests start arriving. It might be one more to-do list among dozens, but we promise you’ll thank yourself later. Call a Chimney SpecialistChimney specialists are incredibly busy this time of year, so the sooner you can check this task off your list, the better! If you neglected your chimney at the close of last winter, you need to have it professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep. Creosote can build up in chimneys that haven’t been maintained properly and lead to house fires. It goes without saying, but the safety of you and your guests depends on making that call. Change Your Furnace Filter and Have Your System ServicedWe can’t think of a worse time for the heat to go out than when guests arrive! Changing out your furnace filter is a must, especially if you haven’t gotten around to it since last year.

Tag: HVAC

Controlling Radon in Your Home During Winter