The physical safety and security of your office building is just as important as the security of your electronic database. Choosing a security system for your building involves understanding the physical characteristics of your office space, what you have to protect and the best ways to ensure potential thieve are stopped before they can cause […]

If you’re replacing your water heater, you might automatically look for a near-identical replacement. However, with several viable fuel choices available, it’s wise to consider all your options before making your selection. Gas (Storage) This is considered a traditional water heater. It could be the best choice if the unit you’re replacing is a gas […]

The changing of the seasons from summer to fall is a sign that cooler weather is on the way. It should also be a signal that it’s time to prepare your office building for the drops in temperature, shifts in usage patterns, and changes in maintenance needs that will occur during fall and winter. By […]

Living in an older home generally means you have higher energy bills. However, there are several effective energy upgrades available for older homes. Over time, buildings settle, cracks form and insulation can lose its effectiveness. Making energy improvements will require both time and money, but you’ll get a return on your investment in lower energy […]

Hiring a new HVAC contractor should be easy. After all, they’re everywhere: advertising via Internet classifieds, sticking flyers on your front door, maybe even soliciting business over the phone. That’s precisely why hiring a new HVAC contractor might seem easy, but it isn’t. Finding a competent, established HVAC professional takes research.

If a sink hole has developed in your yard or the lawn is giving off an unpleasant odor, you might need to replace the sewer line. These signs are not always present when a replacement is needed, but they both indicate a problem. Replacing the sewer line is a major job, but a new alternative […]

Emergency plumbing repairs are never fun, but if you take care of the problem as soon as possible, you’ll limit the damage and repair costs. For many plumbing emergencies, you’ll need to call an expert, but there are steps you can take to control things until your plumber arrives. 1. Overflowing toilet It’s one of […]

It is a sad fact of life that little but frustrating problems like clogged drains raise their ugly little heads at the worst possible time. This may be when you are elbow-deep in preparations in the kitchen for an important dinner party or in the bathroom trying to get ready for an evening on the […]

Commercial facilities commonly use a significant amount of water, either through their business processes or simply because there are numerous people using bathroom or kitchen facilities over the course of a day. Water leaks in the plumbing system can substantially increase the company’s monthly bills while wasting hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water. […]

An active HVAC warranty can help you avoid any financial surprises when you have an unforeseen system problem. It’s important to take care of this protection, since it can save you a good deal of money. If you’ve just installed a system, want to extend your existing warranty, or if you just purchased a home […]

Summer weather can be great when you’re at the beach or enjoying an evening walk, but when your home is packed with guests it can start to feel a bit like a swamp. If you’re like most people, that’s when you reach for the thermostat. However, that A/C may have to work extra hard, costing […]

Ever since the Canadian government published a study about the amount of pollution entering homes from attached garages, the need for garage ventilation has become an important and valid concern. Even detached garages pose similar risks as those that connect to a home through a door and common wall. Most garages are repositories for vehicles, […]

Drain systems and plumbing pipes in commercial and retail establishments face demands that residential plumbing systems rarely see. Sinks and drains in restaurants are subjected to many types of food waste as well as grease, fats, oils and other material that can solidify and clog a drain pipe. Toilets, especially those available to the public, […]

A sump pump is the most effective method of removing excess water from your home, particularly in basements and crawl spaces. Whether you are worried about flooding due to heavy rainfall or you live in an area with a high water table, a sump pump will automatically remove the water accumulation and send it to […]

Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas produced as a byproduct of combustion. If your furnace burns any type of fossil fuel, it will also produce carbon monoxide. The gas is usually safely directed outdoors by your furnace’s ventilation system. However, if the exhaust system malfunctions or if your furnace is compromised by problems such […]

If one of your HVAC system components breaks down, it may be tempting to save money by only replacing that unit. Doing so can cost you more in the long run, though, in terms of energy consumption, reliability and comfort. Investing in a matched system is a wiser choice and here’s why: Better Energy Efficiency […]

When a construction worker or home energy rater installs new insulation, you expect it to deliver the R-value printed on the packaging. However, home-insulation R-values are more variable then you might think. Here’s a look at exactly what R-value means and the factors that affect insulation’s real-world effectiveness. What Is R-Value? R-value is an efficiency […]

Heat pumps carry efficiency ratings that help consumers choose a system based on how much energy it consumes. The cooling efficiency is its SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating. The heating efficiency is called HSPF, or heating season performance factor. The minimums stand at 13 and 7.7, respectively.