Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

With the cold weather comes increased heating costs. While this is inevitable, there are a few things that could really be impacting your bill. 

1. Cranking the heat. It seems like a logical solution to a cold home. Turn up the heat. But if you set your thermostat to a very high temperature, your system may have trouble keeping up. This would cause it to run constantly and jack up your bill.

2. Extra laundry. When it's cold we pile on layers of clothes to stay warm. This results in the need to wash more clothes than in warmer months. All that laundry could certainly impact your energy bill.

3. An inefficient furnace. If your furnace is aging or hasn't been serviced recently, it is probably not running at its best. An underperforming furnace needs to work harder and therefore drives up cost. It's best to get your furnace serviced on a regular basis to avoid this pitfall,

4. Poor insulation. Cracks and air leaks around windows, doors, and other open areas in the home can cause heat to escape. 

Increased heating costs are normal when the weather turns colder, but there are ways to make your home more energy-efficient to reduce those costs. If you have questions about this or need to have your furnace serviced, schedule an appointment with us today!

Cold weather can come out of nowhere in Virginia. One day it's 50 and sunny, the next we are expecting snow and below-freezing temperatures. It's important to prepare your home and HVAC before we hit those frigid temperatures. 

To start, walk your house. Do you see vulnerable areas? Maybe a window that could let cold air in? Maybe a filter that needs to replaced. Take notes on your phone or a pad and paper.

Next, prioritize your list. If you need to go to the store for caulk or weather stripping, plan your trip. Do you need any other materials? Batteries for your flashlights in case you have a power outage? 

Do some of the easy things first, like replacing your air filters. This will immediately give you energy-saving results. Next, do things like sealing windows and doors to keep your heat inside and the cold outside. 

If you have larger projects on your list, decide if you can DIY or need to call in a professional. If you need to schedule an appointment, do so as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more appointments will book up with winter emergencies. 

Need our help? We have a simple online schedule tool you can use! Click here to check it out.

Preparing ahead of time will save you from worrying this winter season. But if you need emergency HVAC service, we are always here for you!

Maybe the kids are home from college, maybe you are doing more cooking any usual, whatever the reason for your active home, we want to help you avoid common plumbing issues that could derail your holiday celebrations.

1. The Kitchen Sink. With more mouths to feed and more time spent at home, we know your oven gets a workout during the holidays. But, so does your kitchen sink. To avoid clogged drains, be sure you are properly using your garbage disposal and sink strainers. 

2. Leaky Faucets. Handwashing is so important, but leaky faucets are annoying and a waste of money. Do a walkthrough of our house to check all your faucet washers to be sure they are tightly fastened and in good shape.

3. Low Water Pressure. Often, low water pressure can be solved by simply cleaning the showerhead. Give your bathroom a deep clean and pay particular attention to the showerhead before the holidays. 

We hope you and your family enjoy a warm and safe holiday season. If you do have a plumbing emergency, we are here for you!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! But, it's also the time of year when bills can increase. From all the sentimental gifts to cooking, and more.

Check out these tips for how to save a little bit of money while still having a merry holiday season.

1. Consolidate your baking. The smell of treats baking sure makes it feel festive, but if you plan one big baking day you can save on energy costs. Plus, you can make it a fun family tradition!

2. Time your lighting. Nothing beats twinkling lights, but they sure can make your energy bill skyrocket. If you put your indoor and outdoor lights on a timer, it can help manage those costs.

3. Embrace the holiday sweaters. Set your thermostat a little lower and don your favorite holiday sweater. This will put you in the spirit and keep you cozy. 

4. Light that fire. Nothing heats a room quite like a roaring fire. Use that as a source of heat to bring down your heating costs.

5. Keep in the heat. Don't forget to keep windows and doors closed whenever possible. This is the best way to keep heat inside where it belongs!

We hope these tips help you save on energy costs this year! 

Moving into a new home is exciting, frustrating, and overwhelming. It's exciting because it's new. It's frustrating because inevitably something will go wrong. And it's overwhelming because there is so much to coordinate and organize. Let us help you with a few plumbing related items to pay attention to.

1. Check the floors for damage. Inspecting the floors for water damage can tell you a lot about your plumbing system. If the floors are warped, there was likely flooding. Be especially diligent about checking around faucets and appliances that use water, like your dishwasher.

2. Visually inspect pipes. Walk your house and look at your pipes. Do they appear in good condition or do they have rust or other flaws?

3. Check the water lines on all appliances. Think about your refrigerator, dishwasher, laundry, etc. Inspect anything that would potentially be loose and cause you problems in the future.

4. Check the water pressure. Turn on all showers and sinks to inspect the water flow. 

We hope these tips help you when it comes time to move! If you need a plumbing professional, we are here for you.