Looking to install a new heater in your Portland home? Your two most popular choices are a heat pump and a furnace. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other.
Continue ReadingInsulate the pipes in your home on exterior walls or in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, garages, basements, and attics. Turn off the inside water shut-off valve that provides water to your outside spigots or hose bibs. Drain each line by opening the spigot until it stops dripping and then turn off the spigot. Use a faucet cover to insulate the outdoor spigot and further protect it from freezing. Seal windows or any cracks that would bring in a draft.
Continue ReadingUpgrade your furnace for increased energy efficiency and heating cost reduction.
Continue ReadingShort cycling is a term used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) world to explain a situation where a furnace or air conditioner turns on and off too frequently. The “short cycle” is the period of time that your HVAC equipment is actually running, and the shorter this cycle, the harder your system needs to work.
Continue ReadingIt’s bound to happen to Salem homeowners sooner or later—a clogged drain. Although clogged drains are often a nuisance, they can many times be managed at home with inexpensive solutions.
Continue ReadingYour fuel-burning furnace has a number of mechanisms allowing it to run safely and effectively. These features prevent fires and protect your indoor air quality (IAQ). They also work to prevent internal errors from damaging large portions of your furnace.
Continue ReadingWhether it’s a clogged toilet or a slow-running drain, plumbing problems are never fun. With the growing do-it-yourself mentality and the access to a great deal of how-to information online, it can be tempting to try to resolve your plumbing issues on your own.
Continue ReadingImagine this winter, sitting in your Salem home by the fire, looking out the window at the falling snowflakes while sipping your hot cocoa with marshmallows. Life is good. It is good, that is, until you hear the loud rush of water somewhere in your Oregon home.
Continue ReadingIn modern society, average adults spend nearly all their time indoors at work or at home. In fact the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports this amount of time reaches upwards of 90 percent for most people. That puts the importance of good indoor air quality at a whole new level.
Continue ReadingPrepping your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter, can help keep your furnace’s repair budget in line.
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