Points for Picking Providers and Preventing Rip Off
Columbia, SC
According to the US Department of Labor – Bureau of Statistics, there are 561,000 plumbers, 656,000 electricians, and 270,000 heating and air-conditioning service providers in the United States. So, how do you pick one, especially when faced with a cold, clogged, or electrifying emergency?! How do you distinguish reputable professionals from rip off artists?
The change of seasons will often draw shady solicitors to your doorstep, offering a steal on their services. Well, that’s exactly what they could be in the market for….stealing!
But don’t worry; there are good, even great folks among the flock.
It takes more than a uniform and a tool belt to enter a home and earn a homeowner’s trust. Here are some tips on how to know the pros and prevent rip off at any time of year.
Know the Pros
•Build relationships with service providers before you’re in crisis
•Ask for proof of license and insurance, even if it’s not required in the market
•Ask for proper identification upon arrival
•Ask for references and call them, if time permits
•Ask the business owner to highlight the company’s business practices
•Always get a cost estimate in writing up front
•Be suspicious of service providers who solicit business door-to-door because good companies don’t need to “cold call”
Sound like common sense? Too often, people are so focused on getting the job done at a low price that they scrimp on quality, especially when they’re in crisis. Be thoughtful about your selection or you may regret it.
Did you know that the United States has more geothermal capacity than any other country? Americans across the nation are beginning to take notice and take action!
Geothermal heating and cooling technology not only makes people optimally comfortable in their homes throughout the seasons, but it is also a good use of renewable energy. The process captures the earth’s energy to heat and cool your home, saving energy and your money.
At depths below six feet, the group temperature stays a constant 50-55 degrees all year long. In the winter, a geothermal system absorbs the heat from the earth and routes it into your home. In the summer, the system takes heat from inside your home and moves it back underground.
Gene Love Plumbing, Air & Electrical recently caught the attention of the State newspaper in Columbia for our work with geothermal. Reporter Roddie Burris explained the process and the benefits within a recent article in the business section.
Ditch the Tank and Go With The Flow in Columbia, SC
By · CommentsMoney can be saved with tankless
Columbia, SC homeowners should take advantage of the opportunity to have all the hot water they need, while saving money on their energy bill.
Discussions on tankless water heaters are heating up and word is that homeowners are finding that the technology has huge benefits, including:
•A longer life span than traditional tanks
The average shelf life of tankless unit is greater than 20 years, verses 10 -15 years for a storage tank system.
•Energy cost savings
Tankless water heaters heat water only as it’s used, or on demand and that saves money, since water heating accounts for 20% or more of an average energy bill.
The heating device in a tankless water heater is activated by the flow of water when a hot water valve is opened. Once activated, the hot water supply is endless. Since the water doesn’t start heating until you turn it on, to prevent delayed heating and conserve water, many people install a specialized pumping system that does the trick.
Tips on Going Tankless:
•Select based on the maximum amount of hot water needed to meet your peak demand
•Consider the electrical requirements before you buy
•Consider where you need hot water in the house and estimate how much you’ll need
•Work with a knowledgeable and reputable plumbing company
The cost of a tankless system is $1,200 or less, a small price to pay for energy efficiency and a free flowing hot shower…not to mention a happier home life. So, don’t be a crank…throw out the tank and go tankless!
Hire a Pro in Columbia, SC and Preserve your Marriage
By · CommentsSome things never change. Couples argue over home improvements. He says he’s capable of doing it himself. She says she’s not willing to wait until he does it.
Tempers rise at the thought of fixing leaky sinks, flickering lights, and noisy furnaces.
The do-it-yourself craze has been glamorized by the television industry and placed high and unrealistic expectations on most spouses in their houses Hiring out is not a cop out and history shows that in the long-run, it can save money and a marriage! In addition, you protect yourself from dangers, such as scalding water, gas leaks and electrocution!
The Facts on Do-it-Yourself:
•Instructions aren’t always written in clear language and often leave out critical steps
•The unexpected will most often happen, taking more of your time and creating stress
•Home improvement projects begin as a labor of love and become drudgery
•Breaking building codes and EPA regulations can make a home impossible to sell
Its best to build relationships with plumbers, electricians and HVAC professionals in Columbia, SC who come to know your home, similar to an auto mechanic who knows your car. It’s about being proactive, rather than reactive. A level of trust and commitment is established and that goes a long way when your air conditioning goes out in August.
Here’s a thought – Consider an anniversary or birthday gift that trades riff for romance. A home service agreement will result in marital bliss. Hire a pro and announce it to your husband inside a greeting card, packaged with a bottle of wine and an invitation to a candlelight dinner and roaring fire. Tell him that you’ve freed up his time so he can spend it with you!
Tune Up or Upgrade to Keep Costs Down in Columbia, SC
By · Comments
Hey, what’s your seasonal energy efficiency rating? Not exactly a pick up line, unless you’re looking to pick up points with the federal government and extra cash in your pocket.
Did you know that neglected air conditioning is not cool? Most homeowners don’t realize that an annual tune up can work wonders. A small investment in an AC tune up now can increase the life of your AC unit, allowing you to stay cool this summer and be more energy efficient.
Most repairs occur with systems at or more than 5 years old and major system repairs cost between $250 – 2,000. Your heating and air conditioning system makes up 50-60% of your annual energy bill, so by keeping your system in top working order and setting your thermostat back a bit, you can cut your monthly energy costs by 15-20%.
Here are some Tips on Tune Ups:
•Clean or change your filters every 30 days
•Inspect condenser & evaporator coils
•Inspect blower motor & wheel
•Inspect the safety controls
•Lubricate and inspect all motors
•Adjust belts if necessary
•Examine and calibrate refrigerant controls
•Verify and adjust operating pressures
•Verify proper amperage and voltage for your compressor, evaporator and condenser motors.
It seems every time you turn around, another household product or device is harmful to you or the environment. Here are some environmentally friendly alternatives which can also conserve money.
Water drains resources and energy
You could be flushing away 20.1 gallons of water per day. Upgrade from a 3.5 gallons-per-flush toilet to 1.6 “gpf” and save 14,500 gallons per year per person. Repairing a leaking toilet can save up to 5200 gallons a year.
An inexpensive shower head replacement can cut consumption up to 70 percent. A new faucet should be rated .5 to 1 gallon per minute (gpm). An aerator head on older faucets will reduce consumption while still providing ample water.
Energy bills in hot water?
Heating water consumes 19% of the average home’s energy. Insulate pipes for better energy efficiency. A recirculation system efficiently cycles heated water back to the heater and may pay for itself in three years.
If your water heater is 15 years old, a new efficient system can pay for itself in a few years and continue saving energy for years after. Models with a heat trap at the top are more efficient at maintaining hot water levels. Also, consider a tankless model, which is up to 34% more efficient than traditional models.
Materials matter
Sealed tile and stone give bathroom floors and counter tops a long life and preserve resources, plus they’re easy to clean. Stone can be reclaimed for other projects at replacement time. Avoid wood, cork, and bamboo since water can degrade them more quickly. No carpeting – a mold haven.
For caulking, get low-VOC caulk (Volatile Organic Compounds), which is far less toxic than others, lasts at least 10 years and cleans up easily. Use acrylic latex for plumbing surfaces and wood gaps, and polyurethane caulk for masonry. They both last much longer than other caulks – up to 20 years. Instead of latex-based paints, use low VOC options. As we’ve seen, there are a lot of opportunities to make your home green-friendly– and budget friendly.
Simple solutions
- Replace your standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents, which last 13 times longer and use 75% less electricity.
- Replace your old, large computer monitor with an LCD flat-screen, which uses 1/3 less electricity.
- Shut the refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If the bill slides out easily, it’s time to replace the seal.
- Regularly change or clean your furnace filter for cleaner air and a longer lasting system. Have yearly maintenance checks.
- Check for toilet tank leaks by putting food coloring in the tank, then waiting to see if the coloring seeps into the bowl.
- Only run your dishwasher with a full load.
- Don’t pour chemical cleaners down the drain, they can get into the water supply. Follow the packages’ disposal instructions.
- Turn your hot water heater down to 120º F from the standard 140º to save 5 to 10% of its energy consumption and still enjoy hot water.
- Connect a timer to an electric heater to reduce the temperature at night, week days and during vacations.
- If you‘re in the market for a new wood floor, consider bamboo. It grows faster than most trees, so it’s more renewable. And it’s tough!
- Plant a tree – or several. They help purify the air and absorb carbon monoxide.