With winter receding in the rearview mirror, don’t forget to include your home’s HVAC system in your list of spring cleaning tasks. A well-maintained heating and cooling system – clean, tuned up and ready to go – will operate more efficiently and economically, while providing optimum comfort in your home. This means both DIY homeowner […]Read More
If you use an air-source electric heat pump as your primary heating source during the winter months, more than likely you’ve experienced it icing up. This probably is not a serious issue if it’s just a light layer of frost. That’s normal, and the heat pump eventually should switch into a defrost cycle to melt […]Read More
For a lot of folks, the science behind air conditioning is a total mystery, but not one that many of us spend much time solving or even contemplating. If it’s cooling the house, who cares how it works? Well, the thing is, if you have a rudimentary idea of how this appliance cools and dehumidifies […]Read More
Most household systems and appliances will alert household occupants that something’s wrong by making unusual or bothersome noises. You’ll have a lot easier time diagnosing the actual problem if you know what specific sounds mean. Following are some of the more common household noises that signal trouble (if you seldom hear these sounds, consider yourself […]Read More
One energy-saving strategy that many homeowners have yet to try is putting into effect a room-by-room approach to cutting energy use. If done right, taking this approach complements whole-house strategies for energy savings. Those include, among others, installing and correctly using a programmable thermostat, sealing air leaks and improving insulation. So what’s the best way […]Read More
Winter doesn’t have a lot of attractions if you’re not a fan of sledding, skiing or snowmen, but when it comes to indoor comfort, the reduced humidity is a big plus. However, even that benefit isn’t unalloyed, with dry indoor air carrying its own set of disadvantages. Cool air holds less moisture than warm air, […]Read More
The standard instruction for homeowners on the frequency with which they should inspect the air filter in their forced-air heating and cooling system is to do it monthly. But that’s a very general recommendation and may differ based on a variety of factors, including climate, amount of usage, health concerns and more. The main goal, […]Read More
Buying a new house or renovating or retrofitting an older one is a huge undertaking. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that nothing is taken for granted. At the top of any list of importance in home design is the house’s HVAC system. You can have the nicest house in the world, but […]Read More
Even though the winters have been relatively mild in recent years in southwest Ohio, the potential always exists for a prolonged spell of subfreezing temperatures. That leaves homes vulnerable to ice dams on the roof and near the eaves. These can cause serious damage to the roof, attics and walls of your home, and potentially […]Read More
For the most part, homeowners take for granted their forced-air HVAC system’s ductwork and air distribution system. They don’t understand the importance of this component to their overall heating and cooling system, both in efficiency and performance. Many common issues with a central HVAC system can be traced back to problems with air distribution and […]Read More
