With the 4^th of July holiday now behind us, we’re beginning to settle into the long, hot days of summer. Many of us are desperately looking for solutions to our discomfort in the relentless heat. With rising energy costs to consider, which are more cost-effective and efficient: window ACs or central units?

The initial cost to install a central unit is significantly more expensive than a window unit. Although each area varies, it can cost up to $6000 to install a central HVAC system. Because it must cool the whole house at one time, a central unit has to work harder and will consume more energy. The pros are that the whole house will be comfortable for you instead of just one room, and you don’t have the eye-sore of a window unit. (more…)

We’ve established before how important ventilation is throughout the home. Just as you need to keep air flowing throughout the house, you also need to keep air flowing to and from appliances. In order to keep appliances running efficiently, vents will need to be cleaned, maintained, and updated if necessary.

Dryer Vents

Dryer vents are critical because an unclean, clogged vent will release lint and dust into the air and, aside from creating a mess over time, can cause respiratory problems for you and your family. Vents should be checked regularly and changed when necessary. It is not too difficult to tell when the vent is clogged or inefficient because the laundry room air will get noticeably humid and even taste stale or starchy. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) highly recommends that homeowners with plastic dryer vents upgrade to metal vents due to the high flammability of plastic. You can purchase vent upgrade kits to do the project yourself. Just note that different brand dryers have different vents and require different parts, so buy a kit that fits your Maytag, Amana, or whichever brand. (more…)

Home ventilation is vital to the lifetime of a house. Poor ventilation leads to notorious home hazards such as mold and mildew. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure proper airflow. It is not only great for your comfort and your wallet, but also for your indoor environment.

Install gable end vents. Many homes do not have proper attic ventilation. Making sure you have properly vented soffits and installing vents at gable ends will provide good airflow through your attic and help reduce cooling costs. You can also have attic fans installed as part of the gable vents and, if you’d like to avoid any wiring issues and take the eco-friendly route, check out solar powered fans. Plus, if it’s time for a new roof, ask your roofing contractor about ridge venting. This venting technique runs a length of plastic venting along the length of your home’s ridge line, leaving no high areas for warm air to be trapped. (more…)