December 8, 2016
The ductwork is a vital component of a home’s HVAC system that often doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it plays a key role how well the system functions. Old ductwork can contribute to a loss of energy efficiency, high heating and cooling costs, a decline in comfort and even poor air quality.
November 15, 2016
If you’re looking for ways to save energy at home, don’t fall for the urban myth that it helps to close vents in any unused rooms. In reality, shutting a room isn’t an effective energy-saving strategy, and it can have many unpleasant consequences like:
October 20, 2016
Water heater temperature has a direct impact on water heating costs. The average family in the U.S. with a gas-fired water heater spends over $350 a year for hot water. In many cases, they may be unaware that the thermostat setting on their water heater is higher than necessary or safe. Many water heaters come …
Continue reading “Lower Utility Bills With Lower Water Heater Temperature”
October 18, 2016
Wouldn’t it be great if the federal government had a program that advised consumers on what appliances and other energy-using products had surpassed minimum energy-efficiency standards without sacrificing performance? It just so happens that such a program has been operating in the U.S. for nearly 25 years. Run by the U.S. Department of Energy and …
October 11, 2016
When you are buying a house, some of the first home features that catch your eye may be the roof, exterior cladding, interior design, and appliances. However, there are other systems, such as the HVAC system, that are out of sight and may not beckon your attention.
October 6, 2016
The federal government has made tax credits available until the end of December 31, 2016 for home improvements in existing, primary homes that promote energy savings. These credits apply to qualifying purchases made in 2015 and 2016 and range from HVAC systems to new windows. Homeowners can deduct 10 percent of the purchase and installation …
Continue reading “Take Advantage of Tax Credits Before the End of the Year”
October 4, 2016
The BTU is the standard measurement of heat. It stands for British Thermal Unit and has a lot to do with how comfortable your home is in both winter and summer. Furnaces and air conditioners both deal in BTUs, but in different ways: your furnace generates BTUs of heat to warm the house and your …
September 22, 2016
An important part of your home plumbing system that often gets ignored is your water shutoff valve. A water shutoff valve cuts off water flow when you need to repair leaks or make replacements.
September 13, 2016
When you start to see school buses on the road again, it is a reminder that fall is near. It’s time to start thinking about the various tasks around your home that need to be done to prepare for winter. Just like other parts of your home, your HVAC system needs some tender loving care …
September 8, 2016
Hot air rises, and the top of your home naturally receives the attention of the sun. These two factors together make your attic space a potential energy challenge year-round: In the summer, the sun heats the air in your attic space with such an excess of heat that it radiates downward; and in the winter, …
