Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

Did you know that cooling your home accounts for 15% of all home energy usage? While that may seem like a lot, think about the work it has to do cooling your home top to bottom! No other appliance has to work that hard (well, besides your heating system, but that's for another season).

So what is the most effective use of that 15%? A couple of window units throughout the home, or a central air system?

There are pluses and minuses to both:

• Appearance: Let's be honest, central air conditioning is just better looking, since it is virtually invisible throughout the home, as opposed to window units which are an eyesore!
• Energy efficiency: While a window unit may seem like it would use less energy, because of it's small size, that's not always true. Due to the small size of the unit, there are not a lot of capabilities built-in, whereas, with a central AC unit, you have one large structure with more room for the up to date energy-saving gadgets.
• Noise level: a window unit loses every time here. While they may blast you directly with cold air, that direct blast comes at a cost, it is LOUD! 
• Temperature control: this can go either way, depending on how you look at it. If you want your whole home temperature-controlled, a single unit is the most efficient and cost-effective. If you desire room by room temperature control, a window unit provides you with that capability easily, but be careful not to run up your power bill!

Whichever you have, don't forget Gilman can service it for you. And if you decide you are ready for an upgrade, we can take care of that too!

It gets hot in Richmond during the summer. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your air conditioning is running at full capacity:

• Check to see if there is any visible water around your unit. This may be a sign it needs to be serviced.
• Make sure to clear all debris from around your outdoor unit. Sticks, leaves, etc. can decrease your unit's efficiency.
• Check your air conditioning filters monthly. If they look dusty and dirty it is time to replace them.
• After a storm, be sure to check your breakers to make sure everything is still on and functioning.

If your AC is just not cutting it this summer, let one of our certified technicians come out to look at your system today. We can look and see if you need a new unit and you could be on your way to cooler days tomorrow! Schedule your appointment online, or give us a call and talk to one of our customer service reps 804-798-0455.

We all love our 4th of July cookouts, barbeques and fireworks, but those things can come with an element of danger. Don't worry, the G-Man is here to give you some quick tips on how to stay safe while having fun this holiday weekend!

1. Keep children away from grills and open flame, they get curious and just want to touch things

2. If you are hosting a cookout, make sure you have insect repellent for your guests

3. Make sure an adult is the one handling any fireworks 

4. Make sure that adult is not intoxicated. Alcohol and combustibles do not mix

5. Keep a bucket of water handy for fireworks, sparklers and anything else you may need to distinguish quickly

We hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend and of course, if you need us, call. We will have our team on call to assist with HVAC and plumbing needs.

We've all been there, hair clogs the tub drain, too much TP in the toilet, etc. These are all normal plumbing issues that most homeowners can manage on their own. From a simple leaky faucet, to a clogged drain, you, as a homeowner, are certainly equipped to handle those plumbing issues. However, sometimes those problems escalate:

1. Your toilet is constantly clogged. This isn't your random, used too much TP and you had to break out the plunger, this is constant. That usually indicates a deep clog in your drains that a professional plumber will need to look at.

2. The sink or tub just won't drain. You've pulled out the hair, used Drano, and still, you get a backup. Not only is this an annoyance, but also a safety hazard for children and pets. Again, this could indicate a deeper clog than you can reach on your own. Time to call the plumber!

3. Something is leaking. Call the plumber immediately, any prolonged moisture can damage floors, ceilings and other foundational structures in your home. Call someone to come out and look at this ASAP, the longer you wait, the more damage can be caused.

Are you experiencing any of these problems? Give us a call today!

By now, many of us have given in and turned on our air conditioning (if only to turn it off the past few days because of this cold front). Did you think to check or clean your filter? If not, your air conditioning may not be running as efficiently as possible. Here are a few tips on how to clean your filter:

• Get out the vacuum! The easiest thing to do is take a soft vacuum brush and lightly vacuum your filter.
• Rinse the filter in a sink or bathtub. Use a soft brush to remove any dust/debris. Be sure to let the filter dry before putting it back.
• Use a spray bottle with water diluted by vinegar. This will help kill any bacteria that may have accumulated over time.
• Make sure you are cleaning monthly, this will not only help your air conditioning run more efficiently but also prolong the life of your filter.

We hope this helps! If you need further assistance, we are offering air conditioning checkups, just give us a call at 804-798-0455 or schedule an appointment online.