Are solar panels or a heat pump system better for your home? Answering that question depends on a number of important factors, including where you live in the country, the age and location of your home and how much money you are willing to spend up front.
Solar panels work best where there is a lot of sunlight and heat pumps work best in areas where more heat is required on a yearly basis to keep things comfortable in a home. In the Cincinnati area, where its not uncommon to run the heat anytime between October and April, heat pumps win this particular battle.
Reid Geiler
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What causes pipes to leak?
There are a number of causes that make water appear where it's not supposed to in your home. Some of the most common reasons are:
Age-Nothing lasts forever, including plumbing. If your piping was installed 30 years ago or more, the materials used have started to degrade and leaks are inevitable. The older the plumbing, the greater the risk. Corrosion of the pipes themselves or the rubber seals shrinking and cracking are two of the most common pipe aging issues.
High Water Pressure-Who doesn't like good water pressure? The answer might be your pipes. Household plumbing is rated for maximum water pressure capacity and if you exceed that, the pipes will eventually leak. Even if your pressure is within the rated capacity for the pipe, repeatedly stressing the pipe with the initial surge of high water pressure will eventually wear the pipes and seals down.
Untreated clogs-If you have used a corrosive substance to get rid of a clog, especially more than once, it's possible that the drain cleaner is stuck somewhere eating away at the pipes instead of the clog. Harsh chemical clog removers can be more trouble than they are worth, so it's a good idea to call a licensed plumber the next time a drain backs up.
Pipe Joint Damage-Extreme weather like repeated heating and cooling can cause cracks in pipes, which eventually turn to leaks. Pipe joints are a common place for this to happen.
Fixture Cracks-If a faucet, sink or toilet has been pulled on or damaged, leaks can develop near the joint that attaches them to your plumbing. If you persistently find any water near fixtures, call a licensed plumber to check things out.
Improper Installation-What might seem to be an easy DIY plumbing project might have unexpected complications. If you suspect that you might have improperly installed piping, call a licensed plumber for an inspection before the damage gets worse.
Shifted Connections-Long term foundation or ground shifting can eventually strain a connection until it gives way and starts to leak. If there is no other explanation for a leak, this could be the cause.
If you notice stains on the wall, a moldy smell or water where it doesn't belong, it's likely you have a leak. Other signs of a leak are discolored or smelly water, which means that your water supply has been contaminated by an open pipe.
If you think you have a leak, don't wait.
The average family spends about $2200 on energy every year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. For many people, the biggest single energy expense is the electric bill. The need for electricity will never go away, but there are ways to spend less and still stay plugged in.
Radon is a cancer-causing colorless and odorless gas that is found in the ground all over the United States. It results from the natural breakdown of uranium and is the second largest cause of lung cancer after smoking, killing an average of 21,000 people per year nationwide. That's more than drunk driving and house fires combined.
The HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive parts of any home. As a result, homeowners face a difficult decision when the system starts flashing some warning signs. Yes, homeowners must determine between that repair vs replace HVAC decision.
We are hearing from the field that some consumers are under the impression that R22 units cannot be operated or cannot be repaired as of Jan 2020. This is simply not true.
Should I leave my AC fan on all the time?
The primary benefit to leaving your AC fan running all the time is that it circulates air more frequently. This can help with more even heating and cooling inside the home. It can also help move cleaner air throughout the house, which helps allergy sufferers. Less frequent starts and stops of the fan can also extend its lifespan, because the stress of startups is reduced.
What is the best type of water heater for residential use? It's an important question. The U.S. Department of Energy says that heating water is the second highest energy expense in the home, accounting for about 15 percent of an energy bill.
Are gas water heaters better than electric? It depends on what features you are looking for.