Do I Really Need a Furnace Inspection/Tune Up?

“I have a question about furnace tune-ups. You say get one every year – is that really necessary? What do the HVAC guys actually do to the furnace to ‘tune’ it up? There’s no spark plugs to replace like a car tune-up, and my understanding is they basically vacuum out dust and inspect it. Couldn’t … Continue reading

Tankless Boilers: The Next Generation

Heating up water costs up to 30% of our home energy consumption costs– but a new generation of boilers could change all of that.  For budget and eco-conscious homeowners, tankless boilers are practical and smart: whereas traditional boilers are constantly heating water, every day, every minute, even when we sleep, tankless boilers only heat water … Continue reading

New York Gives Away Air Conditioners

Because this past weekend was so warm, New York state gave air conditioners to low income families through the LIHEAP program.  Politicians in Albany and DC believe that giving away the ACs was a necessary safety measure for anyone with preexisting health problems.  Senator Chuck Schumer said that the program was essential for New York’s … Continue reading

Spring Cleaning: Surprising Health Risks in Your Home

Sometimes, buying cheaper isn’t always better– in some cases, it can be downright risky.  While you may not expect these everyday household items to be a health hazard, research has found that germs and disease cling to parts of your home you wouldn’t expect.  The best way to get rid of the risk is to … Continue reading

Power Up: Choosing the Right Generator

Buffalo is known nationally for its snow and cold: residents know that at any time, a snow storm can come out of nowhere and hit them hard.  The 2006 October storm is proof of that– trees and power lines were knocked down by wind, heavy snow, and ice.  Since that time, Buffalonians have found ways … Continue reading