Choosing a programmable thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling costs by almost 10 percent a year, Energy Star says. Summer days in Charlottesville get hot. But you can enjoy returning home to a delightfully cool home after work without spending money to run your air conditioner all day. A programmable thermostat lets you schedule… Read more »
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The Best and Worst Times for an AC Tune-Up
Temperatures are climbing in Charlottesville, and we’re anticipating another hot and humid summer. So, when is the best time to schedule a routine AC tune-up? Wait. Do I need an AC tune-up? What’s the best time to schedule an AC tune-up? What’s the worst time to schedule an AC tune-up? What should I expect with… Read more »
Air Duct Leaks Are Expensive
How Expensive Are Air Duct Leaks? You could be wasting 20% of the cost to heat or cool your home! That’s what an air duct leak can do to your power bill, according to Energy Star. Are Air Duct Leaks Costing You Money? Where Do Duct Leaks Usually Occur? Can Duct Tape Fix a Leak?… Read more »
Is My Home’s Electrical System Safe?
Faulty wiring and electrical malfunctions cause over 115,000 house fires in the U.S. annually. If you’re wondering, “Is my home’s electrical system safe?” we’ll explain how to spot electrical problems before disaster strikes. Common Electrical Hazards The best way to prevent the risk of a house fire is to detect and address hazards early. One… Read more »
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes and Water Lines
We’ve already experienced severe weather this season, and winter is just getting started. Many chilly days are yet to come. Below-freezing temperatures can lead to major headaches for homeowners when they don’t know how to prevent frozen pipes and water lines. Often these issues can be avoided with a few simple steps. To prevent frozen… Read more »
Asbestos and Your HVAC System: Everything You Need to Know
The thought of asbestos in your HVAC system is a frightening one. Do you wonder if you might be at risk? If your home was built before 2004, it’s likely that it has at least some products containing asbestos. Asbestos is a white, fibrous mineral that was used regularly in many products — from cement… Read more »
How Do I know When to Replace My HVAC System?
Let’s suppose your HVAC system is working okay, but not great. Or perhaps it’s getting old and you’re wondering how much life it has left in it. Maybe you’d like reduce your monthly utility bills with a more energy-efficient system. If any of those scenarios sound familiar to you, then you may be wondering, “How… Read more »
How Do I Stop My Auxiliary Heat from Coming On?
As the leaves begin to turn and the holidays draw near, the colder weather sneaks into our homes. No one likes crawling out of bed only to be welcomed by frigid indoor temperatures. Now that we’re using heat more often, sometimes the auxiliary heat kicks in, and we ask ourselves, “How do I stop my… Read more »
Noticing a Bad Smell When Turning on the Heat in Your House? Here’s What to Do
Winter’s quickly approaching, and you’ve decided to turn on the heater for the first time this season, when suddenly … eww, what’s that smell? Yep, welcome to the club. Many homeowners deal with the very same issue. If you have noticed a bad smell when turning on the heat in your house, it’s not necessarily… Read more »
Learn About Removing PFAS From Your Drinking Water
If you haven’t heard much about PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances), you likely don’t know why removing PFAS from your drinking water is so important. PFAS are long-lasting, human-made compounds that are not removed by traditional water purification methods, like chlorination, for example. They are called “forever chemicals” due to the elemental properties that prevent them from… Read more »