Will the lowest priced heating and air conditioning system end up costing you money in the long run with high operating costs or by needing to be replaced sooner? Will the lowest priced system provide the comfort you expect? Before you make your final decision, you should consider operating costs and efficiency ratings. Comparing energy…

Many factors can cause poor air quality in your home. Some common contributors are listed below. Although you may not have all of these occurring in your home, by addressing the ones you do, you can increase your air quality and overall home comfort. Irregular maintenance. Lack of regular maintenance on your heating and cooling system…

There are some things you can troubleshoot before you call in the experts. First, check your electrical box. See if the breaker for your heating & cooling (HVAC) system has been tripped or a fuse blown. Next, check your thermostat. Make sure it is set on “Cool” with the fan switch set to “Auto” or…

Most faucets work with a rubber or composition washer that closes onto a metal washer seat.  Over time, the washer will harden and crack or simply gets worn down.  This causes the faucet to leak.  You can close the faucet tighter to stop the drip, but this will only be a temporary fix.  In fact,…

A plumbing system vent is used to “vent” the plumbing system in your home. A vent will look like pipes sticking out of your roof and are about 12” high. This vent allows sewer gases to be vented outside the home. Another function of the vent is that when a liquid goes down a pipe…

First, check your circuit breakers for a tripped switch. Note: Changing the thermostat quickly can cause a disruption. Allow 15 minutes for the compressor to automatically reset itself. Next, make sure the blower compartment door is closed. The unit will not come on if the door is open. Lastly, shrubbery around the outside unit can…

Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from entering your home by means of the trap attached to fixtures. Traps contain water to seal out foul odors; if the water seal evaporates, the odors enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain.…

This is the time of year when homeowners become most concerned with their family’s health. In recent years there has been a strong emphasis on conserving energy and therefore, homes are sealed tighter in order to prevent air from escaping. As a result, fresh air is unable to come in and indoor air contaminants become…

There is no exact answer for how long your system should run during each cycle. The average air conditioner is sized to remove the heat from your home as fast as it comes in on a 100° day. Therefore, ideally, on a 100° day the system should be able to keep up with the incoming…

Most of the time this random occurrence is a result of poor or no venting of the fixture. Vents allow for air flow to the toilet sewage system. Without the vent, air pockets form in the waste branches and can cause what is called back-siphonage. Without a vent, the air in the system can only…