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Other Home Projects
How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of a Fireplace
How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Fireplace Fireplaces generate a lot of heat — when you’re standing right in front of them. Unfortunately, when the fire is out, they can suck warm air from the room and send it up the chimney, which wastes energy and leaves the room feeling cold. But with…
Other Home Projects
What Should I Turn the Thermostat to During the Day?
What’s the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to during the day? Like many homeowners, you might often wonder about just how high or low you need to set your furnace or AC to run when you’re away from home. You probably already know that it wastes money to heat or cool your homes when…
HVAC
Filters 101: HVAC Filtration Options
Many homeowners visit their local home improvement center to purchase a new HVAC filter and find a massive wall of filters in various sizes, types and efficiency ratings. Purchasing the right sized filter that meets your filtration requirements can be a daunting task — this post will explain the different HVAC filter options available as…
Plumbing
Tips to Save Energy at Home: Water Heating
1. Install Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads Low-flow faucets and showerheads reduce water use while maintaining strong water pressure, so comfort stays the same. Look for fixtures with the WaterSense label, which certifies efficiency without performance loss. Also check the gallons per minute (gpm) rating — lower numbers mean less hot water used and less energy…
Other Home Projects
Tips for Saving Energy in Your Home: Heating
Heating expenses can get out of hand in the winter months, especially if your home has hidden leaks or large spaces to keep warm. While you can’t avoid the dreaded utility bills, you can lessen the load on your HVAC system and your wallet by making small or moderate improvements—whatever you can manage helps. Here…
HVAC
Your Comprehensive HVAC Winter Prep Checklist
As the chill of autumn sets in and the evenings draw in early, it’s not just the season for pumpkin delights — it’s also the critical moment to focus on your winter HVAC maintenance. Ensuring your heating system is primed for the colder months is essential to avoid the discomfort of a malfunctioning furnace during…