Home Repair & Maintenance

Installing a central air conditioning unit can be an excellent way to save money but only if the installation is done properly. If the installation job is shoddy, a great deal of cool air will be...

Homeowners can choose from a variety of roof venting systems, depending on individual needs and home design. House ridge vent systems provide one of the most effective methods of nonmechanical air...

When the bladder pressure tank pump cycles on and off rapidly or more than five times per hour the water pressure in the house is not good. You may notice lights in the house flickering when you...

Air from heat ducts, used with forced air heating, can be blocked in places where the duct is leaking or hot air is not needed. One way in which you can easily block air from a heat duct is to...

Pneumatic cylinders are used to provide linear motion in machines and tools in industrial operations. Key advantages of pneumatic cylinders are their speed, power, versatility, cost...

If air coming out of your air conditioner is not cold, there are a few things you must check. From something simple as replacing your thermostat to replacing the whole unit, you should check the...

Vermiculite is a popular material used in attic insulation. It has a pebble-like appearance, is a pour-in material, and is light brown to gold in color. Vermiculite mining in America resulted in...

Although a variety of problems can be associated with your central air system, you can diagnose many of them on your own. If you understand and learn how to diagnose these common problems, you can...

Attic insulation is critical for separating the conditioned (heated or cooled) air of your living spaces from the unconditioned air of the attic. Ventilation helps regulate the temperature...

Spending most of your time out in the garage on a hot summer day can be exhausting. With no way to cool down, you will not be able to work as hard. Putting in an air conditioner is a simple...

A huge reason for inflated heating and cooling bills can be attributed to airflow problems within the HVAC system. There are many possible causes, and each result is the same: little or no airflow...

You can measure air speed (velocity) directly in a duct by using an instrument designed to measure the velocity in the air flow range. You normally will measure non-turbulent air flow at a point...

The most neglected part of the home heating system is usually the filter. People simply do not think about the filter on a forced air furnace, but by replacing the filter, you help keep the unit...

Winter is coming and it's coming fast. With that being said, it's time for the heat to come on and your house to become warm! All too often, the heat escapes from window drafts and drafty doors...

If you live in a mobile home you most likely do not have a central air conditioner unit. However, due to the size of most mobile homes, this is not necessary. You can comfortably cool down the...

Forced-air heating and cooling systems often make a kind of ticking and popping sound when you turn them on and off---noises caused by the natural expansion and contraction of the metal duct. A...

When an air-conditioner line freezes during winter, it can spell trouble for the air-conditioning system. Locating the cause of the problem and dealing with it swiftly will protect the integrity...

An air purifier makes an excellent addition to the home or office if you're looking to cut down on dust and harmful air particles. Unfortunately, commercially available air purifiers can cost...

Winterization is the process of preparing a home or other object or area for winter. It is a particularly important process for homes that are located in areas with very harsh winters....

Forced air heating and cooling systems are popular in many buildings and homes. A single blower forces the air through a series of air ducts to the separate rooms. Air ducts, because of the way...

The condensate drain on your air conditioning unit should be cleaned out once every six to 12 months in order to prevent clogging. Because there is constant moisture in the condensate pipe and...

Air duct condensation can be one of the most frustrating battles a homeowner can face. Condensation in an air duct can easily grow mold and other bacteria, which is then carried throughout the...

Heating and cooling your home is expensive, and it's a good idea to have your HVAC system checked regularly and serviced to keep it in top working condition. It is also important to have ducts...

Heating and cooling homes is expensive. It is a good idea to check and replace filters and to have equipment serviced to keep it in good running order. It is also helpful to only heat and cool the...

Do you want to create a home that is environment friendly and a great healthy living space for you and your family? Do you want to do this without breaking your bank? If yes, then please...

Small, cramped crawlspaces aren't created for the best air flow and, as a result, they can accumulate moisture, putting part of your house at risk for problems such as mold, mildew and wood...

Vaulted or cathedral ceilings can be a challenge to insulate. The lack of air space between the finished ceiling and the roof's decking material is only a matter of inches. There must be room...

Moisture build-up is a problem anywhere in the home. In places like the garage, it can be difficult to control because garages are not always well ventilated. Poor ventilation causes stagnant air...

You can find out if there are any leaks around your windows and doors by completing a few easy tests. All leaks should be sealed to prevent the heat from leaving your home. A home that has leaks...

A rivet is made of two separate pieces that are joined at the base. The base of the rivet is narrow enough to pass through holes in the material being joined. A pin, attached to the very bottom of...

When a door does not fit properly into an opening, there is often a large gap remaining between the floor and the bottom of the door. If this gap is left unsealed, cold air can seep into the...

Air pumps can be used for a wide variety of tasks. They are used by campers to inflate air mattresses, bicyclists use them to inflate their tires, and even kids can use them to pump up their...

All pneumatic pumps consist of a piston inside of a cylinder. Imagine you have a sealed cylinder containing a piston connected to a shaft that runs the length of the cylinder. If you push the...

Warm air is the first clue that an air conditioner has stopped working because its coils are covered in ice. The diagnosis is simple: inspect the unit for a thick sheen of ice. If this is the...

Because air is blown through your air ducts (part of your HVAC system) and circulated around your home, mold in the ducts can lower indoor air quality and cause severe respiratory problems. Check...

The circulation of air throughout a house also causes the circulation of other things. Dust, dirt and mold spores get pulled through the ventilation system when the heat or air conditioning is...

The ideal conditions for mold are moist environments and cool to warm temperatures. Certain places of the home, like the bathroom, make for a place where mold will easily grow. Luckily, there are...

An inefficient house can cause your winter bills to skyrocket. Not only do you pay more for heating your home, but you also run the risk of freezing pipes--a costly repair. Here are some simple...

Air-conditioning, or AC, units are a great way to stay cool during the hot summer days. They circulate the air, pulling hot air out of the house, while sending cold air back in. Circulating air,...

To keep your home smelling fresh, you do not have to rely on store-bought air cleaners. In addition to being costly, deodorizers also usually contain a bevy of harsh chemicals. When inhaled by...

Because the goal of the air conditioner is to cool the home, it's natural that most freeze up at some point when the delicate balance between cooling the home and keeping the machine functioning...

Everyone wants to increase their comfort level, and with summer temperatures rising every year and winters becoming less pleasant, ensuring that your living environment is adequately heated or...

Baseboard heaters heat by convection. This means that when hot air rises, cold air falls towards the heater, and is then heated. Eventually, the circulation of air will be such that most of the...

An instrument air compressor controls the application of air for operating valves in pneumatic instruments. Valves are process control equipment for industrial instruments and instrument air...

Reverse osmosis is a way of filtering water that cleans nearly all particles and defects out of water. Reverse osmosis systems can be installed in the home as part of a normal sink. These filters...

Air compressors have a variety of uses. Inflating your car tires is only one of their many functions. Along with inflation and compression uses, air compressors can power a host of different tools...

Recharging the refrigerant in your air conditioning unit is not an easy task. Because the unit uses a lot of pressure, such maintenance can be very dangerous. If your air conditioner is in need of...

Whole house fans draw cool outside air into your house while blowing the heated indoor air out through the attic. Whole house fans come in two different types: ceiling mounted and ducted.

AC units pull hot air out while replacing it with cool fresh air. The only problem is that the circulation of air also circulates dust, hair and other airborne dirt that can build up on the AC...

Air conditioning units are our best friends during the summer. They circulate the air, pulling hot, humid air out, while replacing it with cool, fresh air. There's only one problem -- the...