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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The Truth About Flushable Wipes and Your Plumbing

July 20, 2022

Do you have a package of flushable wipes in your bathroom at home? If so, there are some things that you should be aware of before you decide to flush them down the toilet. Though the word “flushable” appears on the package, these wipes can definitely create plumbing problems. What Happens When Flushable Wipes Are Flushed? If one flushable wipe drops into the toilet instead of the trash can, it may not cause an issue. But more than one can add up to a big problem for your system. When you flush toilet paper down the toilet, it’s designed to disintegrate in a septic system. However, flushable wipes aren’t designed to dissolve. As a result, these wipes can start to clump together inside your pipes, eventually causing a clog. When you flush, the clog stops the water from traveling through the pipes, and you could end up with a toilet overflowing with contaminated water. How to Remove a Clog Caused by Flushable Wipes First, get a toilet plunger. This type of plunger has an extension or cup, which helps you to get a good seal over the opening in the bottom of your toilet bowl. Put the end of the...

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Understanding the Drawbacks of PEX Plumbing

June 14, 2022

Installing PEX plumbing in your home might seem like a good idea since it doesn’t require soldering like galvanized steel and copper pipes do. Moreover, given that these colorful tubes of cross-linked polyethylene naturally expand, they’re also believed to be more resistant to freezing than other options. PEX pipes are resistant to corrosion which makes them seemingly ideal for water supply lines and radiant heat flooring systems. However, before you purchase and install PEX plumbing, there are a few major drawbacks that you should know. PEX Plumbing Is Known to Leach Toxic Materials One of the most common uses for PEX plumbing is at water supply lines. This is problematic given that this material is known to leach both BPA and many other harmful chemicals. There are three different types of PEX that can be used in residential plumbing systems: type A, B, and C. Of the three, only B has consistently proven problem-free in this area. PEX Is Semi-Permeable PEX has a noteworthy level of permeability which means that water and other liquids can enter PEX pipes. For water supply lines, this poses the constant threat of contamination. While copper piping is inherently antimicrobial, PEX is most certainly not....

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3 Tips for Unclogging Drain Lines in Your AC

May 19, 2022

Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home. Having a cool room is a luxury that most of us take for granted. But if your air conditioner is constantly getting clogged, it will be a continual source of frustration until you find a professional to unclog your AC. If you’re looking for some tips for unclogging your drain lines in your AC, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these tips to unclog your AC drain lines. 1. Access the Clog A drain line can be clogged by leaves, debris, algae, or other foreign objects. If you see signs of a clog in the drain lines, then you should unplug your AC and remove the front grille. After that, look for any debris. If you find any debris in the drain line, clear out those substances. 2. Use Suction From Wet Vacuum The first thing a professional will do is to suck the water out of your drain lines with a wet vacuum. This will eliminate any debris that may have built up in your drain lines. If you don’t have a wet vacuum, then you can use a shop vac to suck the water...

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How Do Ductless Air Conditioners Work?

April 11, 2022

How Do Ductless Air Conditioners Work? There are many reasons why you would want to check out ductless air conditioners. Some homes can’t fit ductwork into them, while other homes with central cooling have an additional room or an outbuilding that the ducts don’t reach. Whether you need one room or several cooled, you can hardly go wrong with ductless ACs (also known as mini-splits). How a Heat Pump Operates The first thing to know about mini-splits is that they’re basically heat pumps without the ductwork. They’re composed of the same two indispensable units: an outdoor compressor and the indoor air handler, with a refrigerant line to connect them. The refrigerant courses back and forth, absorbing heat from inside and releasing it outside (and vice versa when in heating mode). What Makes Mini-Splits Different The air handler for a ducted heat pump usually goes in the attic or the basement, but mini-splits are mounted on the wall of the room they’re supposed to cool. Installation is very easy; all you need is a three-inch hole drilled into the wall for the refrigerant line to pass through. The distance between the air handler and compressor can be as much as 50...

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