Finding the Perfect Size AC Unit for Your Home

May 10, 2023

Getting the right size air conditioner is important for reducing your costs of installation, operation, and maintenance. Learn what AC size means and how a professional determines the exact size you need for your home. How AC Systems Are Sized Air conditioner size refers to the cooling capacity it offers, which is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTU for short. You may also see it expressed in tons or tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,000 BTU per ton. A single BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The BTU rating on an air conditioner tells you how much heat the unit can transfer out of your home for each hour of operation. Your Home’s Size The first step to determining your cooling capacity needs is your home’s serviceable area. This could be as simple as looking at the last real estate listing. However, you need to check your attic, garage, and basement to see if the system services those areas too. Consider Your Home’s Construction How your home is built will affect the amount of cooling capacity you need. This includes the amount of insulation you have, how well...

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Keep Your AC Running Great With a Pre-Summer Tune-Up

April 19, 2023

A yearly tune-up can help keep your air conditioner running efficiently while saving you money on energy bills. During a tune-up, an HVAC technician from can check for any worn or damaged parts and replace them before they cause damage. Our technicians can also clean and lubricate moving parts and check for refrigerant leaks to ensure that the system is properly charged. Then, they can inspect your unit for signs of mold, mildew and other contaminants and ensure that the filters are clean. Why A Yearly Tune-Up Is a Wise Investment In addition to helping you save money on electricity and repairs, annual AC service will help extend the life of your unit. Regular maintenance can help prevent major breakdowns while keeping the system running at peak efficiency. It can also help ensure that your unit is up to date on all safety standards and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. It’s important to have trained technicians check your AC’s wiring and electrical connections, look for potential gas leaks and ensure the system is properly vented. They can also check the overall condition of your system, look for signs of wear and tear and ensure that all parts are...

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What Is Duct Sealing and How Can It Benefit Your Home?

March 16, 2023

Poorly sealed ducts have the potential to cause many issues in your home. Duct sealing can help you save money by improving the performance of your HVAC system as well as maintaining healthy indoor air quality, but what exactly is it? Let’s take a more in-depth look. What Is Duct Sealing? Duct sealing is the process of finding and repairing air leaks in the air ducts installed throughout your home. This helps keep conditioned air from escaping, which improves the efficiency of an HVAC system. In addition, sealing ducts can also help improve indoor air quality. The process minimizes the amount of dust and allergens that enter a living space through leaks. How Does It Work? Having your ducts sealed begins with a professional performing a comprehensive inspection of all accessible ductwork. This often requires the use of specialized equipment such as infrared cameras or smoke testers. The goal is to detect any leaks or compromised connections between pieces of ductwork. Once any issues have been identified, they are then repaired using either traditional methods such as sheet metal screws and mastic sealant or modern techniques such as Aeroseal technology. This uses microscopic particles to seal even the most minor...

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Rewarding Benefits of a Whole House Generator

February 17, 2023

People who have whole house generators appreciate them every time their power grid loses power. This type of generator transforms a power outage from a big problem into something that is hardly noticeable. How Does a Whole House Generator Work? A whole house generator is permanently integrated with the power supply to your home. In the event your home loses power, the sensor on the generator detects the power loss and automatically turns on. This seamless activation is close to priceless if you have a family member who relies on electrical medical devices. The generator uses gas as fuel and is connected to a natural gas or propane supply when it is installed. Whole House Generator Benefits 1. No Exposure to Fuel Exhaust 2. No Interruption in Power 3. Increased Safety 4. No Food Spoilage Safe and Convenient Backup Power A whole house generator outperforms a portable generator by almost every measure. A whole house unit can run your entire household. In contrast, a portable one has limited abilities in this regard. To obtain a generator capable of powering your entire home, talk to in Charlottesville about whole home generator installation. Perhaps the best characteristics of a whole house model...

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6 Winter Energy Saving Tips

January 14, 2023

If you are concerned with the energy consumption in your home this winter, we have six simple things you can do that will help. Consider making these changes so you can start seeing lower energy bills throughout the winter months. 1. Change Air Filters Regularly changing air filters will help you ensure that the ventilation systems in your home are working efficiently, which in turn, saves money. Also, changing air filters more in the winter means higher indoor air quality in your home. 2. Have Your Furnace Inspected A furnace inspection means that all the connections get checked, and we lubricate the system during a tune-up. Our team will ensure that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible. 3. Check Doors and Windows for Drafts If there is a draft in your house, your heater has to work extra hard to make sure the whole home is at a specific temperature. Walk around your home and weatherstrip any drafty areas around the windows and doors. 4. Have Leaky Air Ducts Sealed Sealing leaking air ducts in your home helps improve heating efficiency. Not only will your home have even heating, but you will also prevent pests from nesting in the...

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Some Reasons Why Your Outlets Don’t Work

December 20, 2022

Most individuals aren’t trained electricians, and it’s common for homeowners to be stumped when an outlet suddenly stops functioning. It’s an issue you’ll most likely have to deal with as a homeowner at some point. Below are some of the reasons why your outlets aren’t working. Tripped Circuit Breaker Circuit breakers control the electrical current in each room in your house. The breaker will “trip,” or shut off, if too much current runs through the circuits, preventing the circuits from overheating and being damaged. Look at the circuit breaker box if you can’t get power to an outlet. The tripped breaker will be in the middle positio n, between “on” and “off.” To turn anything on or off, flip the switch. If your damaged outlet can be fixed by resetting the circuit, do so. Blown Overheated Fuse A blown fuse in an electrical system that uses a fuse box may be the source of the issue. Look for burnt metal or discolored glass in the fuse box. Find the blown fuse, unscrew it, and swap it out for a new one of the same kind. If you’d prefer not to do this on your own, reach out to the professional...

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Should You Seal Your Ducts This Holiday Season?

November 19, 2022

Your home’s ductwork plays an essential role in the heating process. If your ducts are compromised, you could be struggling with excessive energy usage and lower indoor air quality. It’s never too late to professionally seal your ducts and restore your home’s vital comfort. Here’s why you should call for duct sealing services this holiday season. Boosts Comfort All of the warm air your furnace produces is pushed through the ductwork before being distributed in your home. When your ducts are leaking air, that costly warmth is being lost in your walls and other uninsulated areas. By sealing your ducts, you ensure your warm air is being directed into your living space. This keeps your family and holiday guests warm and comfortable. Saves You Money Leaky ducts are one of the leading reasons behind HVAC inefficiencies. The more air that’s being wasted, the longer your furnace has to run to heat the home. This increases overall wear and tear as your heating system works longer to reach your desired temperature. On top of high utility bills, you’ll also be faced with more frequent repairs. Limit energy wastefulness by sealing up your ductwork. Protects Your Health Tears and holes in your...

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Steps to Prevent Outside Plumbing From Freezing

October 19, 2022

A single outdoor frozen pipe can cause thousands of dollars of damage and repair costs to your Charlottesville home. Fortunately, by making minor changes, frozen pipes can be prevented. When Are Frozen Pipes an Issue? When the weather drops below 32°F, outdoor pipes are at risk of freezing. A pipe can freeze and not cause any problems. However, in many cases, expanding freezing water within a pipe causes the pipe to burst. Preventing Outdoor Frozen Pipes If you suspect your outdoor pipes have already frozen, our team at can help. We diagnose frozen lines and thaw them using careful techniques while repairing burst pipes and leaks, keeping your home and your family safe. One area that is susceptible to frozen water pipes is your garden hose spigot. The water inside the hose can freeze, extending into the supply line that travels into your home. This can lead to a pipe rupturing and a subsequent flood. Removing the garden hose from the fixture, draining the line and wiping down the hose are great ways of minimizing the chances of a frozen accident. The water supply line for the outdoor faucet should be closed. These shut-off valves are typically found a few...

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Should I Adjust the Speed of My AC Fan?

September 14, 2022

When it comes to your AC unit, one of the most important things you can do is adjust the fan speed. By doing this, you can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. Here are some of the top benefits of adjusting your AC fan speed. Increased Energy Efficiency When you adjust the speed of your AC fan, you can use less energy overall. The fan will not have to work as hard to cool or heat your home, which means it will use less electricity. Improved Comfort If your home is not as comfortable as it could be, adjusting the speed of your AC fan can help. By ensuring the fan is not working too hard, you can ensure that your home is at a comfortable temperature. Reduced Wear and Tear If your AC fan is working too hard, it can lead to wear and tear. By adjusting the fan speed, you can help reduce the amount of wear and tear on the unit. This can prolong the life of your AC overall. Quieter Operation If you have an AC unit that is noisy, adjusting the speed of the fan can help to reduce the noise level. This can...

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How Do I Flush My Water Heater Tank?

August 16, 2022

Flushing your water heater is something you should do every year or two. Sediment builds up inside the bottom of the tank over time, and this sediment can reduce the efficiency of the unit. Sediment build-up is also one of the main reasons that water heaters fail. On electric units, the sediment can ruin the lower heating element. With gas units, the main issue is that the sediment causes hot spots that can destroy the tank. Flushing your tank regularly gets rid of the sediment, and this is how to do it. Turn Off the Unit and the Water Supply The first thing is to shut off the unit and close the water supply valve. Electric units should be shut off at your main electrical panel by flipping the circuit breaker. With gas units, you need to shut off the gas supply and also turn the gas knob to the off position. After shutting off the unit, you need to wait for some time so that the water can cool down. If not, you could burn yourself when draining it. Attach the Hose and Drain the Tank Once the water has cooled, attach a garden hose to the outlet at...

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