American heating, ventilation, and A/C repair services are one of the quickest growing technical fields in the country. Today the industry employs an estimated 301,123 people across 85,469 businesses in our nation. As the field continues to develop, heating and cooling services urge homeowners to take conscious steps to maintain their systems and decrease energy costs to avoid costly repairs. Taking Steps to Decrease Your Energy Costs No one wants to pay more than they have to in order to keep their homes comfortable, but many Americans aren’t aware how their homes are wasting energy. Attics, if improperly ventilated, can…
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It was supposed to be their dream house. The 55 year old Suzuki piano teacher and her husband were only in their new home for six months when they began to notice that the basement bathroom door was closing incorrectly. With all five of their children grown and living on their own with their families, the basement was really just used for its intended purpose, piano lessons. This meant, however, that the basement piano studio bathroom was normally only used by students and their parents. The cleaning service that came in once every two weeks likely never shut the door…
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Fire safety is one of the longest-running social issues in America, and it seems as if the number of civilian deaths caused by fires increases with every passing year. Every homeowner has a responsibility to take fire safety tips seriously and take necessary precautionary steps to ensure that this frightening experience does not happen to them. One of the leading causes of fire destruction and deaths is stove fires. Stove fires are usually the result of negligence on the part of homeowners, but thankfully, advances in technology have made easier to guarantee that a stove fire doesn’t happen to you.…
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New year. New start. New flooring? Are you one of the lucky homeowners who will spend the first few days of the new year updating the flooring in your house? If so, you are likely making the decision between several very attractive and durable flooring options. Making flooring choices means comparing the durability of tile to the warm, cozy look of carpeting to the easy maintenance of a hardwood floor. The type of flooring that you select is often determined by the location of the the room, as well as the purpose that the room serves. The durability of tile,…
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Most of the house looks pretty good. After nineteen years in your home, the woodwork, the furniture, the windows and the painted walls look as good as new. Two things, however, are really showing their wear. The wood floor in the kitchen and the high traffic carpet areas. There is no way to deny it any more, you need to replace these floorings as soon as possible. Samples of floor tile textures and carpet colors cover the kitchen counter as you prepare to make the big decision. Floor materials come in a variety of new options and many of these…
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When thinking about your bathroom at home, is there anything that you would like to change? Unless you have just remodeled, then the answer to that question is probably yes. In fact, you can probably think of multiple things you would like to change, so you may want to consider the help of a bathroom remodeling company. Is a bathroom remodel really worth the investment? It’s no secret that a bathroom remodel can be costly, but is it worth all the expense and time? According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, the average remodel of a bathroom of…
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The real estate market is picking up and and it is estimated that through 2015 a number of factors – including a growing economy, pent-up demand, and affordable mortgage rates and home prices – will keep the housing market moving upwards. For those looking for vacation homes or investing in rental property and beach property, a realtor who is familiar with the area is the best guide. Realtors in Outer Banks will be able advise you on how to profit from investing in luxury homes, how to determine a good rental property, and much more. An expanding real estate market…
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Everyone knows that drinking water is vitally important to the health of the individual, but have you ever considered the quality of the water you drink? An NRDC report found that as many as 19 US cities delivered water to its residents that contained risky contaminants. Drinking water systems can play a role in ensuring that you can truly benefit from your tap water. Water softeners, for example, can reduce mineral contaminants in your drinking water. Office water cooler systems often include built-in water softeners and can provide cold purified water on tap with a smaller carbon footprint than bottled…
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Although home improvement projects can seem daunting, finding a quality home improvement contractor who can address remodeling issues as they arise can mean the difference between a satisfactory end product and one that has to eventually be re-done. Most home buyers report that they are looking for a home that is 2,000 sq. ft. or larger, with a two car garage, a full basement, and a first-floor bathroom. Many homes come with older bathrooms, and knowing how to save money can make even complex bathroom remodeling projects easier and more successful. Granite countertops remain popular for both kitchens and bathrooms:…
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Basic creature comforts are what makes the home so desirable. Everyone wants their home to be a haven for comfortable, relaxing living, and one of the things that contributes the most to the comfort quotient is ambient temperature. Hot summer months need efficient cooling inside your house for freedom from discomfort, while in those frigid winter months, there is nothing more you need than a little effective room heating. Heating and cooling systems are ubiquitous in most households, and in a typical home in America, these systems consume almost half the total energy required. Indeed, most homes are equipped with…