The Energy Star label has recently celebrated its 20th birthday. First conceived to rate the energy efficiency of personal computer monitors—in 1992, a new item just appearing in homes—Energy Star ratings now apply to thousands of household appliances, including HVAC equipment. In 2010, Americans purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances prevented the release of greenhouse gas emissions […]

Fire safety is one of the more significant concerns for owners and managers of commercial buildings. A fire in a commercial establishment could lead to serious injury or even death of employees and customers. To a lesser degree, fires could damage merchandise, destroy important records, ruin expensive equipment and electronics, and put a company out […]

It’s that time of the year again when many of us are making holiday travel plans. With all of the preparations underway, it can be easy to overlook plans for securing your home during the vacation. But the fact is, people are often watching for unoccupied houses during the holiday season, as well as for […]

A clogged sink or a slow-running drain is a familiar nuisance for most homeowners. In a commercial or industrial setting, however, drainage issues can result in much larger problems, ranging from minor inconveniences to complete business disruption. Commercial drain cleaning and plumbing services provide the expertise, specialized equipment and power to remove clogs and repair […]

As a homeowner, any time you replace a major piece of HVAC equipment, you should consider adding extras to improve its performance. Several add-ons can improve efficiency, safety and performance when you’re installing a furnace. Air filters. To easily improve the quality of the air in your house, upgrade standard flat-panel furnace filters with pleated […]

Having good, clean drinking water is something that most of us here in the U.S. take for granted. But if you are using a private well, or just aren’t sure about your drinking water being safe for any reason, UV water filtration might be worth looking into. What does UV Water Filtration Mean? UV water […]

In a new construction or remodeling project, a major investment in heating and cooling equipment should be accompanied by equal attention to the ductwork that distributes conditioned air from your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, or other system. Proper ductwork design is critical to getting the best possible performance from your HVAC system.

Solar heat systems harness the energy and heat produced by the sun to heat a home. These systems heat something, like water, that is circulated through the home’s heating system to improve the temperature inside the home. Effective and efficient, these are becoming the chosen heating option for energy-conscious customers. If you are in the […]

The shift of the seasons from summer to fall and fall to winter brings with it more than just temperature changes. It also means more allergens are in the air as another allergy season kicks in. In a commercial setting, allergies can diminish employee effectiveness and efficiency, cause discomfort among your customers, and reduce overall […]

Your HVAC system is comprised of many parts designed for specific roles. If one of the parts isn’t working efficiently, such as a furnace coil clogged with debris, you may notice it with higher energy bills, system wear and comfort problems. To avoid these problems and ensure efficient heating through winter’s end, read on to […]

Unless you’re accustomed to taking “Navy showers” in your household, showering is probably one of the largest water expenditures your home has. In fact, before new showerhead regulations went into effect in 1992, some showerheads had water flow rates of up to 5.5 gallons per minute – nearly a full gallon of water use every […]

Knowing how to drain your pipes to prevent freezing may help you avoid a future repair, as well as potentially catastrophic water damage to the interior of your home. Ice tends to form inside water supply lines when temperatures drop to about 28 degrees. This is especially a concern when your home’s unoccupied. For example, […]

Many air conditioner noises are normal, such as the whirring compressor and humming blower. Other sounds, such as squealing and grinding, can be unsettling, especially on hot summer days when you really don’t want the air conditioner to fall out of service. If your air conditioner sounds like it needs help, try these troubleshooting tips. […]

While it’s natural to look toward the attic or inside interior wall spaces when thinking about upgrading insulation, two areas beneath your living spaces deserve attention as well. Uninsulated basements and crawl spaces can serve as reservoirs of dank, cold air in winter and moisture-laden warmth in summer. The unconditioned environment in these zones promotes […]

Duct cleaning is an important part of your HVAC maintenance that often goes overlooked by homeowners. In fact, there is some debate on whether you should clean your ducts regularly. The EPA, however, suggests waiting until the need arises to clean your ductwork. Debris, fungus growth and vermin are three common problems that the EPA […]

Hot water heating accounts for about 25 percent of the total energy consumption in your home, so the associated costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are some easy yet effective ways to reduce your water heating bill without any loss of comfort or convenience. Lower the Thermostat Setting Water heaters typically come from the […]

Installing a geothermal heat pump involves two main component groups: the buried ground heat exchanger and the indoor components including the geothermal heat pump. Homeowners accustomed to central A/C may wonder what happened to the outdoor condenser—that big noisy cabinet installed out in the backyard. One of the benefits of installing a geothermal heat pump […]

If you’re planning to schedule duct cleaning for your home, understanding the tools used will help you find a technician who follows proper cleaning procedures.