Posts Tagged ‘contractor’

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Lennox Furnaces Stand the Test of Time

October 3rd, 2011

People are always asking, “Who is the best HVAC manufacturer?” There really isn’t a straight forward answer to that question because no matter who made your furnace, it will not be its best without proper installation and yearly maintenance. With that said, we recently dealt with a customer who was very satisfied with his Lennox furnace. He had scheduled a serviceman to check over the system for the season, and though it was found that the unit needed to be replaced, the customer couldn’t have been happier with what he had gotten out of his unit over the years.

37 Years of Service

            This customer’s Lennox furnace was installed back in 1974. This made the unit 37 years old, and when you consider that the typical furnace will last 20 to 25 years, this unit truly did stand the test of time. When we asked about the history of the unit, the customer was proud to tell us that over the years he only had one minor repair done to the system. The thermocouple was replaced about 15 years prior, and when you consider the number of expensive things that can fail on a furnace, this one low cost repair was truly remarkable. » Read more: Lennox Furnaces Stand the Test of Time

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Posted in Contractors, Furnace, Heating, Maintenace, Value

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Make Your Contractor Fight for Your Business

September 7th, 2011

 If you are one of the many homeowners that are currently looking for a new HVAC system you may feel like it is you against the HVAC contractor that diagnosed your unit as faulty. It would be easy to simply take them at their word and replace the system with whatever they have to offer, but wouldn’t you rather take control of the sale? Well, you can. All you have to do is get a few estimates. Many homeowners don’t want to bother with the hassle of having 3 different companies out for an estimate on a new furnace or air conditioning system, but not doing so could cost your hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars.

Taking Advantage of a Desperate Situation

The first way you loose money by not getting multiple estimates is by purchasing the unit right off the bat from the company that diagnosed the system as faulty. Many times the unit breaks down when we need it most and in our desperation for comfort we may agree to anything. Some companies will take advantage of this desperation and do little to nothing to save you money on your system. Instead, step back, take a breath, and give it some thought. Don’t jump into a sale without assessing all of your options. » Read more: Make Your Contractor Fight for Your Business

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Consumer Protection, Contractors, Heating, Money Saving

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Spots on the Ceiling, Moisture in the Attic

September 5th, 2011

The last time you painted your ceiling did you notice spots around the outside walls? Those spots are usually an indication that the insulation in the attic is starting to loose its R value, and condensation may be the source of your problem.

Attic Insulation and Year Round Condensation

During the summer and winter the poorly insulated attics will accumulate condensation. In the summer this moisture can leak into the lower level ceilings of the home once it soaks through the insulation, and it could also become a source of mold growth. Once wet, insulation is useless and no longer carries an r-value. In the winter this moisture becomes frost in your attic that further diminishes the effectiveness of what little insulation you may have up there. This situation can be corrected by adding blown in insulation to your attic. This blown in insulation will help to minimize future spots from occurring on your ceiling, but more importantly it will help cut your heating and cooling bills. » Read more: Spots on the Ceiling, Moisture in the Attic

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Posted in Home Improvements, Home Repairs, Insulation, Maintenace

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Is Your Air Conditioner the Right Size?

July 11th, 2011

When it comes time to replace your air conditioner, make sure that you are purchasing the new system from a reputable company. Selling an air conditioner to a customer means big money for the business and as a result, some less scrupulous contractors like to take advantage of the customer’s ignorance of the HVAC industry. How do they do this? Well, one way they increase their profit is by selling customers a unit that is too big for their home. This may not seem like that big of a deal, but when you consider the problems that can be caused by oversized air conditioners, you may think twice about who you trust with your next air conditioner installation.

Years of Problems to Come!

Some illegitimate contractors will tell you anything to get you to purchase a more expensive unit. They will promise more cold air and lower energy bills, and before you know it, you have purchased a unit that is twice the size of the unit you need for your home. Once that unit is installed, the real problems begin. Not only did that contractor scam you out of hundreds of dollars, he also left you with years of problems to come! » Read more: Is Your Air Conditioner the Right Size?

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Consumer Protection, Contractors, Money Saving

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A Second Look Could Save Thousands!

February 23rd, 2011

Many homeowners find out the hard way that they should have gotten a second opinion on a repair job, and a recent case in Minneapolis brought this fact into the limelight. The case involved a plumbing company that was convincing homeowners they needed much bigger, and more expensive, repairs than were actually required. The end result was the loss of thousands of dollars and another black eye for the home repair industry. However, homeowners do not have to put up with this type of contractor if they know what to look for when they need a repair, and the number one rule is ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION! Signing a contract and handing over a check could be the biggest mistakes you ever make if you are not careful about whom you hire to perform the repairs. » Read more: A Second Look Could Save Thousands!

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Posted in Consumer Protection, Contractors, Home Repairs, Money Saving

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Contracting a Home Gym

January 24th, 2011

A healthy lifestyle is not complete without exercise, yet many people avoid this requirement for one reason or another. If you think you don’t have the time or if you don’t have the money to pay the outrageous fees they charge at many gyms, we have a solution for you. Consider building a gym in the privacy and comfort of your own home. You will be able to fit your workouts in when it is convenient for you, and after the initial cost of creating the gym, it is free to use. If you are ready to get serious about your lifestyle goals, a home gym is a good place to start, and with the help of an honest contractor, you could have your gym up and running in no time at all. » Read more: Contracting a Home Gym

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Posted in Contractors, Home Services, Information, Remodeling, Value

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Tank-less Hot Water: Gas or Electric?

December 13th, 2010

Tank-less hot water heaters have become very popular in the recent years as energy efficiency has become a priority in households across the United States. These compact systems offer many benefits when compared to traditional hot water tanks. As with any appliance there are some possible complications, but with proper installation and sizing, many of the drawbacks can be eliminated. There is, however, one key factor that you must take into consideration before installing one of these systems: fuel type!

Electric Tank-less Hot Water Heaters

If you don’t have access to natural gas in your home, electric hot water heaters may be your only option, and if so, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad one. These are some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with electric tank-less hot water heaters: » Read more: Tank-less Hot Water: Gas or Electric?

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Posted in Contractors, Go Green, Heating, Hot Water Tank, Money Saving

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Furnaces are NOT One Size Fits All

November 29th, 2010

This winter, just like every winter before, thousands of furnaces will fail and need to be replaced. The problem is that every year, thousands of those furnaces are improperly sized for the homes that they are installed in. Furnaces are not one size fits all and calculating square footage is not enough to determine the proper size needed. Replacing a furnace is a big investment for any family to undertake, and the last thing you should want is for that new system to be the wrong size for your home. The consequences of doing so include: » Read more: Furnaces are NOT One Size Fits All

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Posted in Air Quality, Contractors, Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Money Saving

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Use that Unused Space

October 4th, 2010

Many of us look around our homes and think that we have used up all of the space that we have, but few people remember to take a peek up in the attic. Most homes have a plethora of attic space that is going to waste. You may throw a box up there occasionally, but are you really getting the most out of your attic space. You should consider optimizing that space by remodeling. Attics can be transformed into everything from bedrooms to workout rooms. The possibilities are truly endless if you use a little creativity and the help of a contractor.

It is worth the cost?

For most homes, the answer is “yes.” If your attic has adequate space, you can save yourself the trouble of adding on an addition or searching for a new home. Also if the job is done well, it can add value to your home. Suddenly your two bedrooms 1 ½ bathroom home can be a 3 bedrooms 2 ½ bathroom home. That not only entices prospective home-buyers, it also makes your home more livable now for you and your family. However, if your attic is in bad shape or if the space is limited this may not be the perfect place to begin remodeling. » Read more: Use that Unused Space

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Contractors, Heating, Home Improvements, Home Repairs, Home Services, Information, Insulation, Remodeling, Value

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Going Tank-less with Your Hot Water Heat

August 30th, 2010

Tank-less hot water heaters seem to be the new craze in the world of plumbing and HVAC. Their claim to fame is their ability to heat water instantly and efficiently. Sounds good right? It does, but there are several points to consider before converting to a tank-less unit in your home.

How Tank-less Units Solve the Problems with Old Hot Water Tanks

Traditional hot water heaters use a large tank to store the water they heat before sending it to the different parts of a home. Whether the unit is gas or electric, the water is warmed by heating elements and then held inside a tank until it is needed. The problems associated with this type of unit are:

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Posted in Consumer Protection, Contractors, Heating, Money Saving

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