Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

3 Things to Consider Before Installing a Wood Stove

Monday, February 20th, 2023
family-enjoying-wood-stove

Here in Southern Vermont, we know how rough winters can get. Having dependable energy that can help rapidly heat your home with a furnace, boiler, or ductless mini splits is great.

But what happens when the power goes out? Where do you turn when the dependable system you’ve been counting on all this time has failed you?

That’s when you consider wood stove installation. That’s when you take that safety and assurance back into your own hands.

There are just a few things you need to know before you jump in with both feet. Let’s run through them together.

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Can I Use a Ductless Mini Split as my Only Heat Source During Winter?

Monday, February 6th, 2023
mini-split-system

Upgrading your home heating and cooling system? If you’re struggling to figure out which one you want, you’re not alone.

We’re in Southern Vermont–it gets cold and you need to know that your heating system won’t give out on you. So can you really use a mini split as primary heat source?

Let’s break it down and talk about how powerful mini splits are, and whether or not they make sense for your home and family.

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What Causes a Pellet Stove to Stop Working?

Monday, January 9th, 2023
wood-pellets-for-pellet-stove

Your pellet stove is reliable, strong, and sturdy. You’ve been using it for years, so what could just cause it to stop working out of nowhere? There are a few potential problems we can look at to determine if you’re in need of repair or if it’s something else entirely.

Do you know what stinks? Searching for “pellet stove repair near me” and being bombarded with a ton of clear sales pages and no helpful information. We’re going to use this opportunity to tell you what we believe could be wrong with it before deciding whether or not you need professional assistance.

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Should I Turn Off My Boiler if it’s Leaking Water?

Monday, December 26th, 2022
gas-boiler

Modern boilers are exceptionally engineered and able to withstand around 15 years of use on average, but they aren’t invincible. If your boiler is leaking water, it’s a cause for concern.

To answer the question of whether or not a boiler leaking water needs to be shut off, let’s establish that your boiler should not be leaking water. It will need to be turned off, but by a technician, not you. Let’s explain why.

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Can a Cracked Wood Stove Be Repaired?

Monday, December 5th, 2022
family-enjoying-wood-stove-in-living-room

Wood stoves are arguably one of the best ways to heat your home, but they’re not invincible. Even cast iron wood stoves have their kryptonite: heat expansion. It’s unavoidable and happens over time, but does that mean your wood stove is doomed just because of a crack?

Whether it’s clay or cast iron, wood stove repair is entirely possible. Right now it’s a safety hazard, but with some relatively quick fixes, you can have that wood stove all fired up again to heat your home. Here’s what you need to know.

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Should You Have a Wood Stove Installed?

Monday, October 3rd, 2022

Wood-burning stoves are one of those sights you often see in cozy rom-com movies, burning away in the background. But wood stoves are actually good for a lot more than simply being a movie set prop! Those of us who live in the Northeast understand that a reliable wood stove is a tried and true way to keep warm. Having one installed requires the touch of an experienced professional.

Wood stoves probably will never go out of style, as they have a number of advantages for homeowners that can’t be matched by many other new types of heating systems. Read on and learn why our home energy professionals recommend wood stoves.

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All About the Ductless System

Monday, September 19th, 2022

ductless-air-handler-on-wall-with-hand-holding-remote-in-the-foregroundHave you considered the installation of a ductless mini-split for heating and cooling your home? If not, now may be a great time to do it. This type of system is perfect for some applications and homes, including increasing the comfort of add-on rooms, for older homes that don’t have space for traditional ductwork, and for new builds. 

Before diving in and investing in this type of system, you probably want to know more about how they work. When someone thinks about a heating system that doesn’t use ducts, they probably think of boilers. However, a ductless mini-split is a unique, forced-air heating system that blows heated (or cooled) air. You may wonder how this can happen without the ducts in place to distribute this air.

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Don’t Ignore These End-Of-Season Heater Needs

Monday, May 16th, 2022

checklist-with-red-markerWith temperatures finally warming up, we’re probably all looking forward to giving our heating systems a break for a few months, right? It almost seems silly to even say we have a spring season, given how chilly it’s been for the majority of it.

Still though, just because the chilly weather is finally on its way out, doesn’t mean you should neglect any heating care needs you might have. We get it, it’s tempting to put off repair needs, especially if your heater still seems to be running, if not at least as efficiently as it usually does. But putting it off could leave you with an inefficient air conditioner, too, depending on what the problem is, and/or it could leave you without a functioning heater next fall when you need it again.

Read on to learn some of the signs that you may need to call for heating repairs sooner rather than later.

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Is It Time to Upgrade Your Heater?

Monday, January 24th, 2022

white-question-mark-on-blue-circleWinter is progressing right along, and by now you probably know how well–or how poorly–your heating system is operating. Even if you haven’t been hanging out by your thermostat taking specific notes on the ins and outs of your system, we bet you’ve noticed if the system is making a strange noise, or if the air coming out of the vents isn’t as warm as it should be.

Maybe you’ve noticed that your energy bills have spiked compared to last year’s bills, or that you simply don’t feel warm as you think you should.

While professional repair needs should be expected every couple of years, there will eventually come a time that you’ll need a heating system replacement. Read on as we uncover some signs that it’s time for you to upgrade your heater!

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Busting Common Heating System Myths

Monday, December 27th, 2021

white-question-mark-on-blue-circleWhen it comes to maintaining your heating system–whether you use a furnace or a heat pump–there are a few care tips that we’ll never stop talking about. Professional tune-ups, for example, are always recommended. For traditional furnaces, you should be getting professional maintenance done once a year, while for a year-round heat pump system that both cools and heats, maintenance should be done every 6 months since this type of equipment gets a lot more use.

Did you know, however, that there might be some heating system myths that are getting in the way of caring for your system, and in the way of your comfort? In addition to providing quality HVAC services all year long, we’re happy to help bust some common heating system myths so you can properly address any issues you might be having with your furnace or heat pump, and enjoy long-lasting equipment. Read on to learn more!

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