Posts Tagged ‘Southern Vermont’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

When to Call a Southern Vermont Plumber for Professional Repair

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Your plumbing is a complicated system, and there are a lot of different parts that need to work together.  From your drain pipes to your water heater, your local plumber has extensive training on how to make sure each component is working as it should.  In this post, we’ve given you a shortlist of when you should call a southern Vermont plumber for professional repair instead of trying to fix the problem on your own. For more information, call the experts at HB Energy Solutions today!

  • Water heaters: Hire a pro to come take a look at your water heater problem. Your home water heater can be difficult to work on, as well as dangerous. It is not only a tank filled with hot water, but it is also a lot of pressure. 
  • Septic line blockage: If your septic line becomes clogged, make sure that you get it professionally inspected and fixed. The problem may be deep down within your septic line or the septic itself, and a professional will have the equipment to fix the problem properly.
  • Low water pressure: This is often the result of an obstruction in your water supply line, or some other issue with the integrity of the piping.  Alternatively, after his professional diagnosis of the situation, he may recommend supply line modifications, which might be inhibiting the flow of water.
  • Sump pump: There are numerous reasons why your sump pump may not be operating properly. The drain line might be clogged, or there may be a mechanical or electrical issue. Whenever you are dealing with electricity and water, you definitely want a trained professional taking care of any repair.

Recognizing a problem is the first step to ensuring that your home plumbing system works well. When you need a Southern Vermont plumber, call HB Energy Solutions!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on When to Call a Southern Vermont Plumber for Professional Repair

Southern Vermont Plumbing Installation Guide: What to Consider Before Installing New Fixtures

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Whether you’re having a new bathroom or kitchen installed, comprehensive repiping, or a new sewer line, there are some things to consider prior to your plumbing installation. At this stage, you may or may not have met with a plumber, but perhaps you’ve seen some brochures or designs that you really love and want to implement in your own home. Perhaps you desperately need a new water heater, sump pump, or extensive repiping. The first step is hiring a professional whose expert knowledge will lead you through the process every step of the way. Ask questions and know what your budget is and what options are available in your home living space. For more information, call HB Energy Solutions today!

  • Low-flow fixtures. If you’re looking for high quality design as well as energy efficiency, then you should consider installing low-flow fixtures in your home. New bathroom plumbing installation is a great opportunity to complement your new living space with money-saving low-flow faucets and showerheads. They can produce savings of up to 60%, depending on your existing plumbing setup. Low-flush toilets are also available.
  • Space considerations. The perennial question of major plumbing installation is determining where you want your new plumbed appliance or fixture to go. When incorporating new plumbing into your existing home, consider whether you’d like to move anything around. Perhaps you’ve always wanted that shower to be where the vanity sink is, or your new kitchen sink to be where the dishwasher used to be.
  • Tank or tankless? If you’re considering a new water heater, then you may want to consider whether you should use a conventional tank storage system, or opt for the latest innovations in tankless technology. Tankless offers a virtually endless stream of hot water without standby heat loss. They are highly efficient, compact, and versatile—you can install one or multiple units throughout your home. Speak to a plumber about which one options might be right for your home.

Your plumbing equipment is only as good as its installation. Make sure you hire a reputable plumber. For more information about our Southern Vermont plumbing installation services, call HB Energy Solutions today! 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Southern Vermont Plumbing Installation Guide: What to Consider Before Installing New Fixtures

Southern Vermont Electrical Safety Tips

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Spring is a time for cleaning, organizing, and outdoor maintenance. Make sure that you and your family know the risks and dangers of electrical equipment. While most people know the danger of electricity, everyone needs to be educated about home safety. Here at HB Energy Solutions, we work with a wide range of energy products and services, from septic tanks to comprehensive electrical installation. In this post, we’d like to pass along some electrical safety tips. For comprehensive energy solutions, call the Southern Vermont electrical experts at HB Energy Solutions today!

  • Be aware of overhead wires. As you do your spring cleaning outside the home, remember to know where any overhead wires are at all times, particularly if you’re working on a ladder.
  • Inspect any home tools for electrical faults. If you have any electrical equipment, make sure that it’s safe to operate by taking a look for any frayed or damaged wiring.
  • Don’t overload outlets. Plugging too many gadgets or multiple surge protectors into a single electrical outlet can overload your electrical system and be hazardous. If you need additional power sources, then make sure they are professionally installed.
  • Don’t operate electrical equipment near water. In places like the kitchen, bathroom, or even outside around the swimming pool, the operation of electrical equipment can be dangerous. Keeping electricity and water separate is obvious to most people, but it’s easy to overlook, too. Make sure that any potentially harmful devices are out of the reach of young children.
  • Have an electrical problem? Hire a pro. There’s no substitute for the knowledge and experience of a trained professional. Handling electricity can be dangerous, and you need to make sure that you’re not doing more harm than good. Make sure you hire a certified electrician.

Electrical problems can place your home in danger and your comfort at risk. Make sure you stay alert to flickering lights, frequently tripped circuit breakers, and wobbly switches. When you need a Southern Vermont electrical expert, call HB Energy Solutions.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Southern Vermont Electrical Safety Tips

Southern Vermont Septic Guide: How Your Septic System Works

Monday, March 18th, 2013

If you don’t rely on the municipal waste management system to get rid of your wastewater, chances are you have a septic tank in your backyard. Your septic tank sifts through the organic waste, and separates the water from the solid matter, allowing it to drain effectively into the drain field. The septic tank experts at HB Energy are committed to informing their customers about how their home systems work, so that they have the tools necessary to recognize major problems before they cause serious malfunction. While it’s not always possible to prevent repairs, a little bit of know-how goes a long way. For any septic tank problems in Southern Vermont, call HB Energy Solutions today!

Your septic tank is a watertight box buried in your yard that is usually made out of concrete or fiberglass. It typically holds about 1000 gallons, but its size depends upon the size of your home and your plumbing needs. Your sewer and drains gang together into your sewer main and flow into your tank. This new water displaces the old. Once there, there are three different layers that form inside: decomposing matter floating at the top of the tank (scum), mostly solid matter collected on the bottom (sludge), and relatively clear water in the middle of the two, which overflows into your drain field. The decomposition process takes the scum and separates it into solid matter and water.

The entire system is passive, meaning that it is powered only by gravity and the design of the system and materials themselves. The drain field, also known as the soil absorption system, is a trench with perforated piping overlaid with gravel to disperse the water. The septic tank requires a periodical removal service, which pumps the solid matter out of the septic tank to avoid overflows and promote efficient sewerage. The frequency of the septic pumping depends upon tank size, condition, and usage.

We hope that answers some of your questions about how a septic tank works. For more information, or to schedule septic tank maintenance in Southern Vermont, call HB Energy Solutions.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Septic | Comments Off on Southern Vermont Septic Guide: How Your Septic System Works

What You Need To Know Before Wood Stove Installation in Southern Vermont

Monday, March 4th, 2013

A wood stove can make a classic addition to any home system. It can also be configured as your primary means of heating when installed professionally. If you’re thinking of installing a wood stove in your home, there are a few things to keep in mind. HB Energy Solutions is committed to informing its customers as to the value of a wide variety of heating options. Here are a few of things that you should know before moving forward with installing a wood stove.

  • Weight. Depending on the brand and size of the model, wood stoves can be very heavy. Even the smallest of steel and cast-iron wood stoves may weigh well over 200 pounds, and it increases substantially as you move up in size. Your local wood stove professional will be able to advise you on where the weight of your wood stove system is best placed.
  • Chimney. Your wood stove needs a clean and well-ventilated chimney in order to be able to efficiently exhaust smoke and fumes outside. Check to see what kind of chimney your wood stove needs. Every wood stove tends to come with its own set of ventilation requirements. The flue must also be made of heat-resistant material, leak-proof, and the correct diameter and height.
  • Clearance. The heat radiating from your wood stove requires an appropriate amount of clearance. For example, if you have wood flooring surrounding your stove, it can deteriorate over time.  Wood stoves require a certain amount of floor protection based on the size of the stove and its height off the ground. Your local technician will know exactly what you need to keep your home safe and warm throughout the year.

When thinking about which wood stove to purchase, contact the Southern Vermont wood stove installation professionals at HB Energy Solutions. We install high quality stoves from brands like Pacific Energy, and we know how to maximize the energy efficiency of your unit. Call us today.   

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What You Need To Know Before Wood Stove Installation in Southern Vermont

Pellet Stoves vs. Wood Stoves: Which is Superior?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

For Southern Vermont homeowners that are interested in switching from oil or natural gas, pellet and wood burning stoves are a great option. But which one is more efficient and which one has the fewest emissions? At HB Energy we specialize in alternative fuels for homeowners that are seriously interested in reducing the amount of energy that their homes use. We wanted to put together quick comparison to give homeowners a good starting place as they start thinking about switching fuel sources.

What Are Wood Pellets?

So what exactly are wood pellets? Sawmills and other wood working businesses produce a huge amount of waste wood shavings and saw dust. Normally, those would be thrown away in a landfill. Wood pellets are made from that waste material by compacting them under high pressure. The wood shavings are pressed into a small, pill-shaped mass that can then be used to fuel wood pellet stoves.

Pellet Stoves: Pros and Cons

Wood pellet stoves offer extremely high efficiency and BTU output when compared to wood burning stoves. In almost every instance, the pellet stoves provide greater efficiency and higher head output per unit of fuel consumed. However, pellet stoves require electricity, though, not a lot of it. But if the power goes out then you can’t use your pellet stove. Additionally, wood pellets are not available in all places and in the event of a natural disaster if you can’t acquire any pellets then you can’t heat your home.

Wood Burning Stoves: Pros and Cons

One of the best pros for wood burning stoves is that its fuel source is readily available. You can find wood pretty much anywhere and if you have trees on your property they can be used to for fuel as well. However, wood burning stoves are much less efficient than pellet stoves and they also require more fuel to produce a similar amount of heat. But wood burning stoves don’t require any electricity to run so if the power goes out your home will still be comfortable.

If you have any questions about wood burning stoves or pellet burning stoves in Southern Vermont, call the experts at HB Energy.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Pellet Stoves vs. Wood Stoves: Which is Superior?

Southern Vermont Heating FAQ: Why Consider a Heat Recovery Ventilator

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Are you considering a heat recovery ventilators for your Southern Vermont  home? Call HB Energy to help you decide if a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is the most cost-effective solution for your heating and ventilation needs. Our heating and home energy experts will go over the benefits and the installation process so that you know what to expect.

A heat recovery ventilator is installed to work with your existing heating system to provide energy-efficient ventilation. Some models also serve as an air cleaner and humidifier. A heat recovery ventilator transfers the heat from the air leaving your home to the air entering it, which allows you to add fresh air to your home without wasting heat energy. Energy recovery ventilators (ERV) work in a similar way, but they are not the best solution for all homes.

Knowing which type and model depends on your particular situation. Installing an HRV will definitely help with ventilation, and you don’t have to sacrifice energy savings as you would with other ventilation systems. If you aren’t sure whether an HRV is the best ventilation system for you, simply call the Southern Vermont  heating experts at HB Energy.

We also maintain and repair existing heat recovery ventilators. If you aren’t sure if your HRV is working properly, or if you have other ventilation concerns, call us ASAP. We’ll send one of our technicians over quickly to resolve the issue. Don’t take chances with improper ventilation, especially if you have a wood stove or gas heating system. Call us any time for your next tune-up. With proper maintenance, you can prevent heating or HRV repair needs.

Contact HB Energy for your next service or to learn more about the many benefits of a heat recover ventilator in your Southern Vermont home.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Southern Vermont Heating FAQ: Why Consider a Heat Recovery Ventilator

What Is A SmartMeter and What Are The Potential Benefits? A Southern Vermont Heating Question

Monday, January 21st, 2013

If you’re like most people, you get a monthly electrical bill that tells you how much electricity you used and the amount of money that you owe. If you’re like most people, you’d like to reduce the amount of energy that you use not only to save money but also to help conserve energy. At HB Energy, we’re concerned about the environment as well and would love to help all of our customers get the most out of their home’s electrical system. That’s why we offer SmartMeter installation in Southern Vermont. Here is some information about SmartMeters and how they can benefit your home.

What is a SmartMeter?

Right now, your home has a basic electrical meter that has a spinning disc inside of it. This tells you how many kilowatt-hours you’re currently using—but that’s about it. A SmartMeter, as its name implies, gives you more information about the electrical usage for your home. There are also gas SmartMeter models that can give you detailed information about your home’s gas usage.

SmartMeters offer more information because they connect wirelessly to the internet using a secure connection. It will upload data about your energy usage and email you a report on the hourly, daily and weekly electrical usage of your home. It can also email you an alert if your energy usage goes above a certain point.

What Are the Benefits of Using a SmartMeter for Your Southern Vermont Home?

When it comes to energy usage, most homeowners do their best to reduce their consumption. But without more information, making those efforts successful is very difficult. Without knowing which hours of the day you use the most energy will make it difficult to know where to focus those efforts.

With the SmartMeter, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly which appliances are using the most energy. That way, you can target your conservation efforts on their use. With a tool like the SmartMeter, you’re in charge of your home’ s energy use and can more effectively manage your energy use.

If you have any questions about the SmartMeter or if you’re interested in having one installed in your Southern Vermont home, call HB Energy today.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Go Green | Comments Off on What Is A SmartMeter and What Are The Potential Benefits? A Southern Vermont Heating Question

New Hampshire Fuel Guide: Using Bio Diesel in Heavy Equipment

Monday, January 14th, 2013

When you use heavy equipment for commercial or farming applications, as many here in New Hampshire and the surrounding areas do, you can plan on going through a lot of gas over the course of a year or even a season. Does it not make sense, then, to try and use the cleanest, most efficient and environmentally friendly fuel available to you? At HB Energy Solutions, we are dedicated to providing our customers with a truly one call customer service experience, and that is why we include Bio Diesel in our comprehensive list of services and products.

Bio Diesel, also known as “neat” Bio Diesel, is a very clean burning alternative fuel source. Many of you have undoubtedly heard of the Clean Air Act. We are proud to offer Bio Diesel to our customers for a number of reasons, including the fact that Bio Diesel fuel is the only option of all the alternative fuel sources to fully satisfy health effects testing requirements put forth by the Clean Air Act. Many compounds used in traditional fuel source have been linked to cancer, and Bio Diesel reduces the presence of these compounds by up to 90%.

Plus, Bio Diesel boasts the highest energy content of all alternative fuel choices. The whole point of opting for alternative fuel sources is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and your carbon footprint, right? Then why not use the most energy packed alternative fuel source out there? With Bio Diesel you get the most bang for your buck.

Bio Diesel does not suffer in performance as a tradeoff for its environmental benefits. In fact its fuel economy, horse power and torque capabilities are comparable to petroleum. This nontoxic, biodegradable fuel source is still able to get the job done.

At HB Energy Solutions, we understand investment that you have made in purchasing your heavy commercial or farming equipment. We also understand that newer, alternative fuel sources make some folks weary of damage to their equipment or decreased performance. We have seen firsthand the opportunities that Bio Diesel has to offer here in New Hampshire. We encourage you to give us a call about this great fuel source and try it out for yourself. You’ll be impressed with the results.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on New Hampshire Fuel Guide: Using Bio Diesel in Heavy Equipment

What to Remember When Having New Wiring Installed in Southern Vermont

Monday, January 7th, 2013

The installation of new wiring in your Southern Vermont home is a pretty big project to undertake. In truth, it is one of the most disruptive services you can have completed in a preexisting home. The invasiveness of a complete electrical rewiring is worth the considerable hassle, though. If your electrician has reason for concern enough to suggest the rewiring of your home, you had best listen to that suggestion carefully.

At HB Energy Solutions, we will not promise you that your electrical rewiring will be quick and simple, nor can we make it so. What we can do, though, is to make the process as painless as possible. A big part of making the electrical rewiring service in your home as minimally disruptive as possible is simply to be prepared for it. Here are some things for you to remember in preparation for your electrical rewiring project.

  • Plan on having somewhere large enough to store your furniture…pretty much all of it. Any room that is being rewired will need to have the furniture moved out. Chances are you do not want to trust the New England weather with all your furniture sitting on your lawn. Plan ahead for this.
  • Keep in mind the fact that floor boards will need to be pulled up. If you have laminate floors this can be a pretty big project in and of itself. Be sure to discuss all aspects of the service with your electrical service provider. Do not realize that you have not properly budgeted for this work once it is underway.
  • Expect a decent amount of work once the rewiring is done. We will ensure that your new wiring is convenient, safe and dependable. Plan on spending some time getting your home back to normal.

An electrical rewiring project is always a big one. Even partial rewires require a lot of work and exceptional service quality. When you need electrical rewiring services in the Southern Vermont area, contact HB Energy Solutions. We will make sure that you have the reliable access to safe electricity you need to live comfortably in your home.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on What to Remember When Having New Wiring Installed in Southern Vermont

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »