Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

Have you noticed it takes longer for your home to warm up? Does your system seem to run all the time? It might be time for an upgrade to your HVAC system.

The G-Man shares 5 signs it's time:

1. Your HVAC system was installed before anyone knew what an iPhone was. In general, heating and cooling systems should be replaced every 10 to 15 years. 

2. Your energy bill is huge. If your HVAC is not running efficiently that can drive up the cost of your energy bill. An inefficient system can cost you.

3. Your HVAC technician has been to your house in the past year more than your best friend. If your HVAC unit constantly needs repairs, that is a sign it's time for a replacement. Spending money on repairs adds up, it's time to invest in a new unit.

4. Even though your unit runs constantly, everyone in your home is still cold. An underperforming unit that is not working at full capacity is a sign it's time for a replacement. 

5. Your HVAC unit is noisy. If you notice excessive noise coming from your unit or the ducts, it's time to have a professional look at it.

Purchasing a new HVAC is an investment, but the right unit can save you money in the long run. Not only that, but your family will be more comfortable. If you are in the market for a new heating and cooling unit, don't forget about our Centennial Sale!

Thinking about heading for warmer weather as winter bears down on Richmond? We don't blame you! But you do need to do a little prep work on your home before you go. 

1. Set your thermostat no lower than 50 degrees. Dominion Energy recommends settings between 60 and 50 degrees. The higher setting is if you have pets or indoor plants that need to stay a little warmer.

2. Turn on your faucets (just a trickle is fine) to keep water moving. You may be worried about wasting water, but a slow trickle won't waste much and it will certainly be better than flooding from burst pipes.

3. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow the warm air to reach those pipes.

4. Unplug all unnecessary appliances. Things like phone chargers and coffee makers can suck a lot of energy from your home while you are away.

5. Ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house. Having someone come by is the best way to make sure your home is okay while you are away. Leave them with a key so they can solve any problems that may arise.

If you do run into plumbing problems, call the G-Man! 

Brrrr it's getting cold in Richmond! As we crank the heat in our homes it is important to keep a few safety tips in mind:

1. Keep flammable objects away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, furnaces, etc. 

2. Teach children about heat safety. Give them a 3-foot rule for the fire, oven and anything else that can burn them.

3. Do not use your oven to heat your home. As tempting as that may be when the power goes out, it is extremely dangerous.

4. Turn off space heaters when you are not in the room. 

5. Test your smoke alarms to be sure they work.

6. Finally, make sure to have a professional check all heating equipment. 

Give the Gilman professionals a call if you need your heating system serviced. If you are in need of a new system, don't forget about our Centennial Sale to get 10-year financing, a 10-year warranty, and a 10-year comfort plan. 

As the temperatures drop, the heating bill goes up. While you want to stay warm this winter, you don't want to waste money. Here are a few tips on how to lower your heating costs:

1. Seal all cracks and open-air areas where heat could leak out. Keep that heat where it belongs - inside!

2. Open curtains and blinds to let the sun warm your home. 

3. Dress warmly, even when inside. Socks, sweatshirts, sweaters can all help you reduce your heating costs. 

4. When your home is occupied, the ideal heat setting is 68 to 72 degrees. However, at night or when no one is home, you can reduce that to 58 degrees.

5. Always have a professional come do an HVAC check-up. With just a quick tune-up your bill could be lower.

It may still be warm in RVA, but winter is just around the corner. As the cold weather moves in, air conditioning units will be turned off and heating turned on. Even though your AC has worked well throughout the hot summer season, there are still a few things you should do before you forget about it for the next few months. The G-Man has a few tips on how to winterize your AC:

1. Change your filters. Just because your system is off does not mean debris will not be building up on your filter. Imagine not dusting a table for 4 months. There would certainly be a lot of dust. The same thing will happen to your AC filters. You don't want the first blast of your AC next year to be filled with dust and allergens.

2. Keep it clean. Even when not in use, you don't want debris or weather to block your system. If you have central air conditioning, make sure sticks, leaves and other debris are consistently cleared from around the unit. For both windows and ground units, you do not want too much snow to build up on your system. While the units are weatherproof, it is not good for moisture to sit on the unit for a long period of time. 

3. Protect your unit. When possible, take window units out and store them in a safe place. For central AC units, you can use a protective cover to protect from debris and other elements.

4. Clean coils. Just like the filters, you do not want the coils to get dirt build-up. Clean your coils before putting your unit to bed for the winter and it will run more efficiently at the first sign of warm weather.

If you have any questions about winterizing your unit, give us a call!