Explaining Whole House Surge Protectors and How They Work

March 20th, 2023
surge-protector-electricity-coming-from-outlet

The power surges, then suddenly your $1,800 refrigerator, $800 washing machine, and $600 dishwasher suddenly stop working. Sounds like a pretty bad day, but there is something that can prevent all that loss and potential electrical damage.

The one way you can have the highest chance of evading this high level of damage is through a whole house surge protector. These act as a form of pressure relief when a surge of electricity comes bursting through the lines, preventing it from frying the circuits and wires of the appliances in your home.

You might be wondering how does a whole house surge protector work to prevent this from happening in the first place. Let’s talk about that.

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Uh-Oh, My Mini Split Froze – Now What?

March 6th, 2023
ductless-mini-split-pushing-out-freezing-cold-air

Your mini split is a powerhouse of heating and cooling, a force to be reckoned with, but it can still freeze. Why’s that? Well, it still uses refrigerant, just like any other air conditioning system out there.

A mini split freezing up isn’t so different from a traditional AC freezing up. It shares similar causes and solutions. Let’s go over what causes mini split freezes so you know how to avoid it in the future and what you can do to maintain your mini split at home.

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3 Things to Consider Before Installing a Wood Stove

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?

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 is Considered an Emergency Plumbing Problem?

January 23rd, 2023
plumber-dealing-with-toilet

It’s always good to take care of any plumbing-related problem the moment you’re aware that it exists, but what happens when there’s no clear fix and you can’t find the root of the problem in the first place?

That’s one reason to call for plumbing services, but how do you know if it’s a run-of-the-mill call, or if you need emergency plumbing service?

Let’s help you figure that out right now. These are some of the most common plumbing emergencies that you really shouldn’t wait to call a professional about.

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What Causes a Pellet Stove to Stop Working?

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?

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?

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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How Often Are You Supposed to Drain Your Septic Tank?

November 28th, 2022
Septic tank cover opened. Technician about to do maintenance.

Your septic tank needs to be pumped to prevent leaks and backup over time, but how often is enough, and how much is too much? You don’t want to waste money pumping your tank more often than necessary, so let’s find the middle-of-the-road option and keep your tank healthy without making your wallet hurt and whether or not you’ll be finding septic services today.

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3 Common Myths About Pellet Stoves

November 14th, 2022
Family enjoying warmth by a wood burning stove.

You search for “pellet stove repair near me,” then you see a flurry of opinions, forum posts, and “articles” about pellet stoves. How do you sift through the noise and actually find out about pellet stove repairs?

It starts by knowing fact from fiction. These myths surrounding pellet stoves float around everywhere, but today, we’re going to bust them.

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