3 Ways Air Conditioners Can Cause Fires & How To Prevent Them

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), air conditioners and other related equipment caused 7,400 structural fires in homes in 2010. Since many people run their air conditioners non-stop during the hottest days of the year, it's important to understand what causes air conditioning units to catch fire. Here are three common causes and how to prevent them from happening in your home.  Damaged Electrical Wire & Cable Insulation

4 Advantages of Heating Your Home With Oil

If you are replacing your furnace or having a new home built, you may be trying to choose between an oil or gas furnace. Oil heat has several advantages over gas and other types of home heating that make it the best choice for many homeowners. Here are four of the biggest benefits of using oil heating in your home. Lower Risk of Fire A natural gas furnace can pose several serious risks for your home when it malfunctions.

Pros And Cons Of Replacing A Boiler System With Forced Air In An Apartment Building

If you own an apartment building with boiler-style heating, you may be considering switching over to a forced air heating system. Though modern boiler systems can be very efficient, many people hold the misconception that they are outdated and prone to explosions, which may make leasing apartments with boiler heating hard in areas with competitive housing markets. Changing over to forced air may make it easier for you to find tenants, but there are cons to consider, too.

Beat The Heat To Keep Your Air Conditioning Bill Low

Whether you are waiting for repairs or just don't want to bleed your wallet dry this summer, staying cool without the A/C is something most people only dream of. However, heading out to the public pool isn't the only way to beat the heat. Some of your own habits are contributing to your energy bill woes. Cook Outside Unless you are planning on having a big salad for dinner or ordering in, cooking will produce quite a bit of heat.

3 Types Of Gas Water Heaters For Your Home

Water heaters are powered in a number of different ways – by electricity, solar power, geothermal energy, and gas. Gas water heaters are some of the most commonly chosen, because they're easy to operate and because gas is a relatively affordable and accessible type of energy. What you may not realize is that choosing a gas hot water heater isn't the end of it – there are at least three different types of gas hot water heaters for you to choose from.

Should You Repair Or Replace Your Central Air-Conditioning Unit?

Central air-conditioning is a wonderful convenience that lets you stay cool during the hot summer months. However, these units don't last forever, and malfunctioning or old units just eat up your energy, causing your bills to skyrocket. If your unit hasn't been working properly, ask yourself these four questions to help you determine if you should replace or repair your system. How Old Is Your Unit? The average lifespan for a central air-conditioning unit is between 10 and 15 years.

When Maintaining Your Furnace, Don't Forget About The Blower

When it comes to maintaining a furnace, many homeowners make the mistake of overlooking their furnace blower assembly. But overlooking this critical component can have consequences. A dirty blower fan has to work harder to push air through the heating system, plus the dust and debris on the fan blades could end up in other parts of your home. The following offers a step-by-step guide for cleaning your furnace's blower fan and motor, plus a few safety tips to keep your DIY job safe and hassle-free.