Most homes are heated by a boiler or furnace. In Charlottesville, Virginia, heating accounts for nearly half of your family’s residential energy cost, so it’s important to determine which heating option to choose: a boiler or a furnace. Aren’t Boilers and Furnaces Similar? Boilers and furnaces are heating systems. Both appliances generate heat in a… Read more »
HVAC
Extend the Life of Your HVAC system
One of the most important steps you can take to extend the life of your air conditioner, heat pump, and HVAC system is to schedule regular maintenance appointments with a qualified technician. This allows for timely inspections, cleaning, and adjustments. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues early on and ensures that your system operates… Read more »
Should I Repair or Replace My Air Conditioner?
“Summertime, and the living’s easy” — except when your air conditioner unit begins to malfunction. The heat begins to creep inside, and the discomfort settles in. You might think, “Should I repair my air conditioner? Or should I replace my air conditioner?” The answer depends on a few factors. We broke down the most common… Read more »
How to Choose a Programmable Thermostat
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 »
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 »
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 »