Commercial Plumbing Updates to Save You Water and Money

Saving water means saving money for residential and commercial property owners alike. Making a few simple updates to your commercial property can drastically reduce your daily water usage to add up to significant savings each year. If your commercial building in Anderson, SC, older than a decade and hasn’t been recently updated, it could be time to look at the many benefits of updating your plumbing and fixtures.

Toilet Updates

In most businesses settings, the majority of your building’s water usage is attributed to toilets. Most toilets that are ten years old or older use 3.5-7 gallons of water per flush or more, while modern high-efficiency toilets can drastically reduce that value. A typical high-efficiency toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush; thus, replacing your older models with new ones can add up to significant water savings. Replacing your 3.5-gallon toilets with 1.6-gallon models could save you on the order of $100 annually per toilet if each toilet is flushed 30 times per day. Other options to consider when updating your restroom facilities include dual-flush flushometers, which adjust the amount of water used per flush depending on need, and waterless urinals, which require no water to flush at all.

Faucet Updates

Sinks represent another source of significant water usage in any commercial building, including both restroom and kitchen sinks. Updating your faucets will not only improve the look of your facilities, but reduce water usage in these areas as well. Touchless or automatic faucets are a popular restroom upgrade that work by sensing the presence of hands held in front of or under the faucet. This process eliminates the water wasted during the time it takes to turn the faucet on and off, as well as preventing faucets from being left running by accident. Both touchless and manual faucets are available with low-flow features, which reduce the amount of water used with an aerator that mixes air with the water as it pours from the faucet. Aerators can reduce the amount of water each faucet uses by up to 75% without compromising the water pressure needed to wash hands properly.

Grease Trap Updates

Restaurants and many other commercial buildings are required to maintain a grease trap to collect greases and fats before water is flushed into the sewer system. However, an old or inefficient grease trap could be costing you extra money by affecting the function of your plumbing, even causing you to use more water in an attempt to flush out stubborn drains. Upgrading your grease trap to a modern, efficient system can help you save money on water and plumbing repairs over the long term, resulting in a healthier plumbing system that works as it should.

If you own a commercial building, updating your plumbing offers many benefits. You’ll enjoy lower water usage and reduced water bills, as well as more efficient plumbing that is less prone to problems. Visit our website to find out more about our residential and commercial plumbing services throughout the Anderson area; check out our blog for even more water-saving and plumbing maintenance tips.  

The Basics of Roof Cleaning

Although roof maintenance is largely not a DIY project, there are a few simple tasks you can perform regularly to keep your home’s roof looking and functioning like new. Regular cleaning will prevent mold and algae growth, which can cause unsightly stains on your roof that detract from the look of your home. Furthermore, simple gutter maintenance will prevent problems during rain and snow, which could threaten the integrity of your roof. In addition to the regular cleaning tasks outlined below, don’t forget to schedule a yearly roof inspection and maintenance visit from a professional roofer to check for signs of wear and take care of the more extensive maintenance tasks you can’t perform on your own.

Why Roof Cleaning Is Important

A clean roof is a healthy and aesthetically-appealing roof. Your roof not only plays a vital role in the comfort and safety of your home, it is also an important aspect of its curb appeal. Keeping your roof clean and maintained will ensure its materials last for their full predicted lifetime, minimizing the amount of repairs needed and ensuring you get more out of your roof before it requires replacement. Regular cleaning will prevent dirt, debris, and stains from accumulating, which detract from the overall look of your home and your property. Because most roof “stains” are actually due to moss or algae, it’s especially important to address these marks as soon as you see them. Although you may think stains are only a cosmetic issue, the fact is that mold, moss, and algae growth on your roof can damage your roof’s structure over time if left unchecked. Removing the cause of these stains will protect your roof and its integrity so it can continue to perform its function for many years to come.

What You Can Do to Keep Your Roof Clean

There are a few basic roof-cleaning tasks that you can easily perform on your own. How often you need to clean your roof is generally determined by need—when your roof looks like it needs cleaning, it’s time to clean it. However, preventive maintenance should also be considered; cleaning your roof two to three times per year can prevent problems or stains from occurring and enhance the overall look of your home. If your roof is easily accessible by ladder, you can apply a cleaning solution yourself. Make sure any cleaner you choose is appropriate for use with the type of roofing material you have. Mix the cleaner as per the package instructions in an insecticide sprayer or power washer. If you choose to use a power washer, make sure to set the pressure to low to prevent damaging your roof. Spray the cleaner onto your roof, then let it sit for the recommended amount of time—typically half an hour. Rinse away any cleaning solution with fresh water and let your roof dry naturally. In addition to cleaning your roof, you should also regularly clean out your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can easily overflow, causing water damage and stains on your gutters and your home’s siding. The weight of clogged gutters could also damage your roof, leading to the need for extensive repairs or even gutter and roof replacement.

In addition to these simple tasks, your Alexandria roofer can help you maintain a clean and beautiful roof with a regular maintenance plan. Visit our website for more information about our roof and gutter services for residential and commercial buildings, or fill out our online form to request an estimate.

Apartment Decorating with Books

Whether you’re an avid reader or a casual one, chances are that you’ve got more than a few books. While books are easy to store and look great when properly organized on a bookshelf, they are also a versatile way to add color and personality to your apartment’s décor. Rather than keeping all your books neatly stacked on a set of shelves, consider the many ways in which you can use a few—or more—volumes as decorative accents and accessories throughout your home.

Visual Vignettes

Books make either a perfect centerpiece or an excellent addition to any visual vignette. If you want to highlight your books as the core of your vignette, place them at the center of your arrangement and choose items that encourage the eye to settle on the books and their covers. Alternatively, you can use books to raise or frame other pieces you want to focus on in your vignette, such as statues, flowers, or decorative items, letting your books serve as a background for your display, rather than the focal point.

Coffee Table Displays

Books add personality to your décor in many ways; one of the easiest ways to decorate with books is to choose one or a few volumes and incorporate them into your coffee table display. You may wish to choose books for their subject, size, or color, depending on how you want to use them as part of the overall arrangement. Coffee table books are a wonderful way to show off your personality and can often provide an easy icebreaker during parties or other social gatherings. Additionally, you can easily rotate the books you keep in your coffee table display to match seasonal décor or highlight your many interests.

Kitchen Décor

If you have a collection of cookbooks, don’t hide them—display them as part of your kitchen décor. You can stack books on countertops, inside display cabinets, or on bookshelves to add color to your kitchen while keeping these valuable reference materials close at hand. If you choose to keep cookbooks in a cabinet or on a bookshelf, consider breaking up the monotony with dishware, pots, pans, or other kitchen-related décor for a more interesting and aesthetically-pleasing display.

Appealing Bookshelves

Even the books that you choose to leave on your bookshelves can be arranged in a way that turns your bookshelves into a decorative statement, rather than a simple storage option. The easiest way to improve the look of a bookcase is to arrange books in order of size or color. “Zig zag” your arrangements such that each subsequent shelf runs from largest to smallest starting at opposite ends. Break up the look of purely vertical books by leaning or stacking books horizontally at the ends of each shelf; you can also add small decorative items, photos, or even small baskets or jars for storage at the ends or in the middle of each shelf for even more variety.

At Carmel Pacific Ridge, you can put your personality and your love of books on display throughout your luxury studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartment. In addition to a spacious floor plan and private outdoor living space, you’ll also enjoy features and amenities that include a professional fitness center, jogging trail and dog-walking loop, digital café and study lounge, and green apartment construction with eco-friendly materials. Visit us online to find out more about our features, availability, and pricing.  

Caring for Your Commercial Roof

A proactive approach to commercial roof maintenance will ensure that no unforeseen problems affect your business operations or the comfort of employees and customers. While some commercial roof care tasks can be performed on your own, others should only be completed by an experienced roofer. Taking care of your roof by maintaining it regularly will not only save you money over the short term, it will benefit you in the long term as well—studies show that well-maintained roofing lasts an average of 21 years longer than roofing that is not cared for regularly.

Maintain Your HVAC Equipment

Many commercial buildings have HVAC systems located on the roof. Although you may not think about how you HVAC system affects your roof, problems with roof-mounted air conditioners, fans, and air handlers can damage to your roof as well. Condensation or ice formation on a poorly-maintained cooling system can cause water damage and promote the growth of mold and mildew, which could lead to deterioration of roofing materials. Excessive vibration from an overworked or aging HVAC system can cause cracks or other damage to the material of your roof as well, leading to air and water leaks that cause further trouble. Thus, maintaining your top-level HVAC equipment is an important step toward both indoor comfort and roofing integrity.

Trim Your Trees

If the landscaping around your commercial building includes tall trees with overhanging branches, keeping these trees maintained will also protect your roof. Avoid letting branches get so long or heavy that they bow down close to your roof, as poorly-supported branches could snap off in a storm or high winds, causing damage. Gutters can easily become clogged with plant debris from overhanging branches, which could cause leaks that damage your property and invite the growth of mold. Furthermore, pests and insects could use overhanging branches to reach your roof, damaging it and paving the way to larger pest problem as well. Keeping any trees located near your building healthy and well-trimmed will reduce the risk of damage to your roof.

Inspect Your Roof

At least once a year, perform a thorough visual inspection of your roof. Look for areas of pooling water, bowed or sloped roofing, missing gravel or other roofing material, and other signs of damage that should be addressed. If your roof includes chimneys, check the condition of the flashing and mortar around them as well. Don’t wait to schedule repairs if you think your roof needs them—letting small problems grow into large ones by ignoring them will only cause you more stress and cost more to repair in the future. If you aren’t able to inspect your roof on your own or aren’t comfortable doing so, talk to a professional roofer about scheduling an annual roofing inspection.

Caring for your commercial roof will reduce the cost of annual maintenance by up to 11 cents per square foot. Additionally, regular care and repairs will increase the longevity of your roof and improve the appearance of your commercial property. Click through our website to find out more about commercial roof installation, roof repair, and roof maintenance in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and McLean.

How to Clean Your Refrigerator

A clean refrigerator is also a well-maintained one. Although you use this appliance daily, how often do you think to clean it? Giving your refrigerator a thorough deep cleaning two to three times a year offers many benefits, from a safer environment for your food to an appliance that is less likely to need repairs as it ages. Even if you don’t have time for a deep clean, a quicker, less intensive cleaning will still help to maintain this valuable appliance.

Deep Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Deep cleaning your refrigerator every few months will keep it looking and functioning like new throughout its lifetime. First, you’ll need to remove all the food from your fridge and set it aside—this is also a great time to check the expiration dates on all items and throw away any expired food. Next, remove all the shelves and drawers; if you can’t remove them, you may want to consider unplugging your refrigerator while you clean to conserve energy. Wash all the surfaces of your refrigerator, shelves, and drawers (inside and out, top and bottom) with warm, soapy water. Follow with a damp cloth dipped in clean water to rinse away any soap and finish by drying all surfaces with a soft absorbent cloth. If your refrigerator, shelves, or drawers have any stains or encrusted food, use a solution of vinegar and water to help break up and remove stains and dried food or liquids. A smelly refrigerator can be addressed with a variety of solutions, including baking soda, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. You should also take this time to check the gasket around your refrigerator and freezer doors—the rubber should be in good condition, without cracks or damaged areas. Clean the gaskets using an old toothbrush dipped soap-and-water solution, then rinse and wipe them dry. Replace all shelves and drawers, then wipe down any food packaging with a damp cloth before returning it to your fridge. Wipe down the exterior of your refrigerator and use your vacuum hose to remove any dust from the coils at the back of the appliance, as well as the grille at the lower front of the appliance. If you unplugged your refrigerator during cleaning, make sure to plug it back in and enjoy your squeaky clean fridge!

Quick Cleaning Tips

In between deep cleans, taking care of your refrigerator is still important for its function and longevity. Every one to two weeks, wipe down the exterior of the fridge with a damp cloth, including all the way around the doors and the gaskets. Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to clean the coils behind the refrigerator and the grille at the front or bottom of the appliance. This step is particularly important, as it will prevent dust buildup and keep your refrigerator functioning efficiently—and often more quietly—for comfort and convenience. Finally, wipe any available surfaces of the interior with a damp cloth to prevent spills from drying out and making a more difficult mess to remove during your deeper cleaning sessions.

Cleaning your refrigerator regularly will go a long way toward maintaining its efficiency and functionality. If you do experience trouble with your refrigerator, your local appliance repair service can help you solve it quickly to reduce stress, spoiled food, and high energy bills. Click through our website to learn more about refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher repair in Portland, or take a look through our other blog articles for additional tips, advice, and troubleshooting.

Fall Events in the San Diego Area

San Diego and the surrounding area plays host to a wide variety of fall events, festivals, and more to get you into the spirit of the harvest season. You can experience local cuisine, culture, and art when you attend one or more of the area’s amazing fall festivities, many of which are the largest of their kind on the West Coast.

San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival

Get ready for a taste of nearly 300 of San Diego’s restaurants, wineries, and breweries at the 12th annual San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival. Taking place this year from November 16-23, this festival is the largest food and wine event on the West Coast. Stop by just once or come back every day to experience some of the best cuisine the Bay Area has to offer or sit in on a workshop or demonstration by one of the festival’s many attending expert chefs and culinary personalities. Events include celebrity chef dinners, wine, beer, and meal tastings, informational seminars, culinary classes, and upscale parties; tickets can be purchased for a single event or as a package for the full experience.

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show

The Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show is one of the largest arts, crafts, and gift shows on the West Coast. This three-day event takes place from October 17-19, 2014, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. In addition to the thousands of vendor and food booths selling gifts and snacks, you’ll find nonstop entertainment that includes stage performances and strolling entertainers; there are also kid-friendly activities and craft demonstrations for younger attendees to enjoy. Your one-time admission allows you to return as many times as you’d like with a hand stamp so you can continue to enjoy the festival for a single low fee.

Mother Goose Parade

The Mother Goose Parade is famous for ushering in the holiday season in the Bay Area. This event is the largest parade in San Diego County—in fact, it’s the largest parade in the entire Western United States. Each year, this parade attracts over 400,000 spectators and features a new parade theme for every event. Beginning at 9am on November 23, 2014, the Mother Goose Parade winds its way through the streets of El Cajon with over 100 floats and participants, including marching bands, drill units, equestrian groups, clowns, giant balloons, and more from across the U.S. In addition to the parade itself, the Mother Goose Village is open from 9am-3pm for youngsters to enjoy.

Day of the Dead Festival at Market Creek

On November 1, San Diego residents can take part in a Day of the Dead celebration by attending the day-long Day of the Dead Festival at the Market Creek Amphitheater. Throughout the day, local and international entertainment will take to the stage with music, dance, and more. The festival also includes traditional Mexican food, a display of over 150 lowrider cars, hands-on craft workshops, and arts and crafts sales and displays. More traditional Day of the Dead events, including a Catrina competition, Calaveritas, and a blessing by the Kumeyaay Nation, will also take place throughout the day.

Carmel Pacific Ridge offers an accessible San Diego location just minutes from freeways and convenient public transportation. Furthermore, you can step right outside your apartment door to enjoy local parks, dining, entertainment, and culture, all right in your backyard. Check us out on the web to find out more about our luxury apartment community in downtown San Diego or contact us to discuss rates and availability today!

Are Your Pipes Stressed? Tips for Preventing Plumbing Leaks

Any time there is excess stress on your plumbing system, your pipes could be at risk for a leak. Factors that can stress your pipes include age, water pressure, and water hardness. Knowing the condition of your home’s plumbing and incoming water can help you to recognize the need for plumbing assistance to lower the levels of stress on your pipes and avoid future problems that could raise your water bills and damage your Anderson home.

Address High Water Pressure

Water pressure refers to the force with which water comes out of your plumbing fixtures. While many people prefer water pressure that is high, too much pressure can put every aspect of your plumbing at risk, from your pipes to your fixtures. You can test your home’s water pressure with a detachable meter; these meters are typically less than $10 at a local hardware store. Attach the meter to an outdoor hose spigot and ensure all plumbing fixtures in your home are closed and all water-using appliances are off. Turn on the spigot and read the water pressure on the gauge; “healthy” pressure should register between 40-85 psi. If your water pressure is higher than 85 psi, your pipes are under unnecessary stress. Contact your plumber to discuss installing a pressure reducer—simply reducing your water pressure to 85 psi or below will take excess stress off your pipes without affecting your comfort.

Address Hard Water

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals inside your water. Although hard water has no effect on your health, it can have an effect on the quality and longevity of your plumbing. Over time, minerals are deposited inside your pipes, leading to buildup that causes the opening through which water can flow to narrow. Buildup can also occur inside drains and fixtures, while limescale may form on tiles, porcelain, stainless steel, and even dishware washed in hard water. Hard water often hinders soap’s ability to form a later and clean, which also means your household may be using more water than necessary to bathe and clean dishes and clothes. You can find out if your home’s water is considered hard by checking with your local municipal water service or asking your plumber for more information. If your water is too hard, talk to your plumber about installing a water softening system. There are a variety of water softening systems available on the market today, each designed to remove minerals from your water as it enters your home. This will improve the quality of your water to lower the stress on your pipes and fixtures, while also reducing the amount of water you use and even improving the taste of your water.

Addressing factors that cause stress on your home’s plumbing will improve the lifetime of your pipes, fixtures, and water-using appliances. If you’d like to find out more about plumbing solutions in Anderson, SC, visit our website to check out our comprehensive plumbing services in your area. Don’t forget to click through our blog for additional tips, information, and the latest plumbing news.

What’s New from Whirlpool

The Whirlpool brand name is one of the most famous in household appliances. Whirlpool gained its current name in 1950 and sold its first top-loading automatic washing machine in the same year, just one year after the first ever sale of the top-loading automatic washer. Since then, Whirlpool has expanded its product line and acquired many other famous name brands, including KitchenAid and Maytag. Keep reading to discover the newest home appliances available from Whirlpool and how they can enhance your quality of life every day.

Duet Washer and Dryer

The 2014 Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer system is designed to minimize the time and effort you spend doing laundry. These high-efficiency front loading appliances incorporate numerous features that sense your laundry’s needs to provide the perfect cleaning cycle every time. The 4.5-cubic food washing machine offers a 12-load detergent cartridge, reducing the time it takes to throw in a load of laundry; a detergent monitor lets you know when it’s time to refill so you’ll never be caught off guard. This adaptive appliance includes up to 14 different wash actions and a precision detergent dispense system to tailor the washing process to each load. Washing cycles include an allergen cycle, a sanitize cycle, and even a wash and dry cycle that washes and dries small loads without the need for a dryer. The matching 7.4-cubic foot Duet dryer is available in both electric and gas-powered models. Dryer features include a sanitize cycle, a steam refresh cycle, and a SilentSteel dryer drum that minimizes dryer noise from metal zippers, buttons, and more.

Gold Dishwasher

The Whirlpool Gold dishwasher with TotalCoverage spray arm technology is crafted to provide customized cleaning no matter the load. This dishwasher is ENERGY STAR qualified and features Whirlpool’s unique TotalCoverage spray arm, which cleans dishes using twice the number of jets as other dishwasher brands. With its smarter spray sequence, your Gold dishwasher will clean your dishware from every angle for superior results. Other features include an AccuSense soil sensor, which detects the amount of cleaning needed based on the soil level of your dishes, and a specially-designed silveware spray option to prevent residue on silverware in the basket. If you use the same cycle option frequently, your dishwasher will even remember your preferences and automatically choose the last cycle when activated.

Slide-In Gas Ranges

Whirlpool’s slide-in gas ranges are equipped with a variety of features designed to make meal preparation and cleanup a snap. These 5.8-cubic foot appliances can be customized to meet your exact kitchen specifications for a seamless, built-in look. Slide-in ranges incorporate some of Whirlpool’s best cooking technology innovations, such as Frozen Bake technology that eliminates the need to preheat your oven and TimeSavor Plus convection cooking for reduced cook times and improved flavors. When you’re done creating your meal, Whirlpool’s AquaLift self-cleaning option will clean your oven in just 50 minutes, eliminating the need for harsh cleaning chemicals or time spent scrubbing your appliance.

Even the highest-quality home appliances need regular maintenance and repairs to perform their best. Visit our website for additional information or to schedule appliance repair in Portland online or by phone. Click through the articles in our blog to stay up to date on the latest brands, maintenance tips, and more for your home appliances.

All About Slate Roofing

Slate is a durable, long-lasting, and handsome roofing choice for your Alexandria-area home or business. This type of roofing material has been used on countless monuments and pivotal buildings throughout human history, with many slate roofs lasting for centuries. If you’re interested in adding a slate roof to your home or commercial building, keep reading to learn more about this versatile and beautiful roofing option, available from your local roofing contractor.

All About Slate

Slate is a natural layered rock composed primarily of clay and volcanic ash, which contains other minerals that may include quartz, mica, graphite, and many more. Prior to its exposure in quarries, slate has spent millions of years subjected to intense heat and pressure inside the Earth’s crust. Slate is available in a variety of colors, each determined by the rock’s chemical and mineral composition. Some of the most popular colors include gray, red, purple, and green. North American slate is typically quarried in Quebec and Newfoundland in Canada, as well as areas along the eastern coast of the United States, including Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and Virginia.

All About Slate Roofing

As a roofing material, slate is prized both for its beauty and its durability. Slate has been used as a roofing material throughout human history, with many of these roofs outlasting the buildings they protect. Thus, slate remains an excellent choice for a long-lasting residential or commercial roof in modern day. Its longevity and natural origin also makes slate a green roofing option. Not only are no harmful chemicals or byproducts produced in the creation of slate, but your slate roof will not need to be replaced for 50-100 years or more, keeping excess roofing waste out of landfills. Slate roofing can also boost the energy efficiency of your home or office, making it easier to maintain indoor comfort and reducing your carbon footprint while lowering your utility bills. Because slate tiles are made from rock, they are heavier than wood, asphalt, or other types of shingles. Thus, it’s important to discuss this factor with your roofing contractor if you are considering a slate roof. To offset the extra weight, your underlying roof structure may need additional support before slate roofing can be applied. However, new roofing technologies are also becoming available, offering lighter slate shingles that utilize a fusion of slate and other materials to give you the look and the durability you want with less weight.

If you’d like to learn more about slate roofing in Alexandria, Fairfax, and Arlington, visit our website to check out our residential and commercial roofing solutions and maintenance plans. Our roofing contractors will work with you to find the perfect roof and gutter solution for your needs, including green roofing options. We also invite you to click through the latest articles on our news page to read through more information about roofing, skylights, and more.

Preventing and Dealing with Ice Dams

Ice dams are a common yet serious threat to your roof and your home. An ice dam occurs when a buildup of ice forms at the edge of your roof during the winter, preventing runoff from leaving the roof. With nowhere to go, melted ice and snow can instead penetrate shingles and roofing underlayment, leading to leaks that cause structural and cosmetic damage to your home. Preventing ice dams or dealing with them quickly will not only prolong the lifetime of your roof, it will also protect your belongings and finishes from water damage and mold growth caused by roofing leaks.

Add Ventilation

Ice dams are primarily caused by nonuniform roof temperatures, which allow snow some areas to melt while others stay frozen. Thus, the key to preventing ice dams is to ensure your roof remains a single temperature—this generally means addressing temperature fluctuations in your attic. Adding ventilation, such as ridge vents and soffit vents, can easily address this problem by allowing for improved circulation and temperature control beneath your roof. Your roofing contractor can perform an evaluation of your existing ventilation system to let you know where ventilation could be improved to prevent ice dam formation.

Add Insulation

As an alternative to adding ventilation, improving your attic’s insulation can also help to better regulate your roof’s temperature during the winter. Added insulation will prevent heated air inside your home from reaching the outer layers of your roof, keeping the surface cold to prevent ice and snow from melting and running off. Improving your attic’s insulation can have other benefits as well, such as keeping your home warmer while reducing the load on your heating system to improve its longevity and save you money on your heating bills. Your roofing contractor or local building department can help you determine the right amount of insulation for your home.

Remove Snow

If you already have an ice dam on your roof, addressing it quickly will prevent melting ice and snow from penetrating your roof. One simple method to prevent damage from an existing ice dam is to remove the snow from your roof to prevent runoff. You can use a roof rake to remove snow either from the ground or by using a ladder. Never attempt to remove the ice dam itself by chipping or scraping at the ice, as this can cause damage to your shingles or gutters. If you can’t remove the snow safely on your own, contact a roofing company to handle the issue for you. Your roofing contractor can either rake or steam the snow off your roof to prevent the buildup of melted water and leaks.

Your Fairfax County roofer can help you prevent or address ice dams this winter for a healthier, longer-lasting roof. Click through our website for more information about roofing repair, replacement, and maintenance in the Alexandria and Arlington areas, or check out our most recent news articles for additional tips and information.  

Designer Bathroom Inspiration

The bathroom is often ignored in terms of interior décor. Although this room may seem solely functional, a stylish and inviting bathroom is a luxury that shouldn’t be underrated. While you don’t need to spend a significant amount of time or money decorating your bathroom, taking a few design tips into consideration can completely change the look and feel of this space, creating a personalized retreat you’ll love.

Soft, Luxurious Textiles

Your Carmel Pacific Ridge apartment features beautiful, modern-style bathrooms with all the luxuries you want. You can enhance the feel of your bathroom by adding soft, luxurious textiles to complete the room. Investing in high-quality bath towels is a great start—Egyptian, Brazilian, and Supima cotton are some of the most highly-prized towel options, offering a soft texture coupled with excellent absorbency. Make sure to purchase bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths for a cohesive look. In addition to luxury towels, consider a plush bath mat and elegant shower curtain to complete your bathroom’s décor.

Elegant Accessories

Choosing the right type—and number—of accessories to place in your bathroom can have a big impact on its look. Keep the number of decorative items you use to a minimum to prevent cluttering your valuable counter space. If you’d like to add more accessories, consider a small table, cart, or wall shelves to provide additional horizontal surfaces. Choose accessories made of metal, glass, or porcelain for a classical look in your bathroom. These accessories will also help to reflect light and make the space feel larger. Flowers or other greenery also make an excellent bathroom accessory, adding color and life to this space as well. Small trays, baskets, and jars are excellent organizational tools that double as tasteful accessories as well.

Choose a Theme

Regardless of your decorating style, choosing a theme for your bathroom will tie the entire space together, making it feel like a cohesive room. Whether you’d like a rich, classical look or a casual, beach house feel, choosing a theme that speaks to you and maintaining it throughout the bathroom creates a personalized space just for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a style that differs from the rest of your apartment—bathrooms are a great area to get creative and try out new decorating ideas that are a daring and different. Keep in mind, however, that your bathroom is a smaller space. Choose colors that will reflect light and make sure to leave enough space to move comfortably so that your bathroom doesn’t end up feeling cluttered or closed-in.

A beautiful bathroom is just the beginning of a luxurious lifestyle when you make Carmel Pacific Ridge your San Diego home. Our resort-style apartment community offers amazing views of the city and bay beyond from your apartment and private outdoor space. You’ll also love our community amenities, which include our deck lounge and lap pool, European-style wine bar, hillside bocce ball court, and digital café and study lounge. Visit us on the web to find more information, including apartment floor plans and local hotspots.

Refresh Your Apartment for Fall

As summer fades into fall, it can be easy to view your apartment as faded and outdated as well. Even if you love your décor, there are a few simple ways you can refresh your apartment’s interior without making significant changes. Keep reading to discover how you can refresh your San Diego apartment this fall.

Change Your Shower Curtain and Liner

One simple change you can make that will have a big impact on the look and feel of your bathroom is changing your shower curtain and liner. Shower liners should be replaced on a regular basis—this small step can instantly refresh your shower from the inside out. Selecting a new shower curtain will transform the look of your bathroom; you can choose a new curtain in keeping with your current theme, or mix it up to try out a different decorative style.

Wash Your Windows

You may not realize how dirty your windows are until you wash them! Dirt, dust, pollen, fingerprints, skin oils, and more can quickly accumulate on your windows, reducing their ability to transmit light. Cleaning your windows can instantly brighten your apartment, making it feel lighter and more welcoming. All you need to wash your windows are a few simple tools, such as a soft sponge, squeegee, and microfiber towel. Use a dedicated window-cleaning solution or create your own eco-friendly cleaner from products you have around the home. Make sure to dry your windows after washing them—this will also help to avoid unsightly streaks.

Buy New Place Settings

You can give your kitchen table a refresh this fall with new place settings. Colorful or seasonally-themed placemats, napkins, and chargers will instantly update the look and feel of your entire kitchen. Consider a new centerpiece as well—candles, flowers, vases, or other decorative elements can be used to bring style and personality to your table. Keeping a few sets of different place settings handy can be a wonderful way to refresh your kitchen not only during the fall, but at various times throughout the year as well.

Update Your Lighting

Does your apartment look dingy and dark due to lack of proper lighting? Updating your lighting is a great way to imbue your apartment space with new life. However, updated lighting doesn’t require purchasing all new lamps. Start by replacing older light bulbs with energy-efficient options, such as CFLs. You can also transform the look of your apartment by purchasing full-spectrum light bulbs, which more accurately reproduce the look of natural sunlight. These bulbs will enhance the comfort of your apartment during shorter fall and winter days, when you must use your lamps longer due to earlier nightfall. If you decide your apartment could benefit from additional illumination, focus on lamps that reflect light up rather than down, which will provide better ambient lighting for your space. Making sure you have enough task lighting in areas where you read or work will make these spaces feel more comfortable and convenient.

Carmel Pacific Ridge features modern apartments for rent in San Diego. Our accessible location offers easy transit to some of the hottest shopping, dining, and entertainment in San Diego, Mission Valley, and Linda Vista. Visit our website to discover the many benefits of choosing a studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartment in our luxury apartment community.

Fall Roofing Projects

Fall is an excellent time to take stock of your roof and prepare it for the winter ahead. With the heat of summer gone but the poor weather of winter not yet here, you and your roofers will be more comfortable and can complete work much more easily during this time of year. Rain, snow, ice, and cold can all take their toll on your roof, so ensuring your home is headed for winter in the best repair possible will save you time, stress, and money. There are a variety of roofing projects, ranging from cleaning to maintenance and repairs, that will enhance the appeal and comfort of your home throughout the colder seasons.

Roof Cleaning

Even if your roof is in excellent shape, it might need a little freshening up. Having your roof cleaned will not only improve your home’s curb appeal, it will also address any mold and algae that may be forming on your shingles. Neglecting to remove mold, mildew, and algae can have disastrous consequences for your roof, leading to deterioration of the shingles and leaks or structural issues. However, even a task as simple as roof cleaning should never be performed without the right preparation. Even if you want to wash your roof yourself, talk to your roofer ahead of time to find out which method is best. Pressure-washing some roof materials is fine, but others should not be subjected to such high water pressure. Additionally, you may not be able to wash your roof safely on your own—if this is the case, don’t try it. Instead, hire your roofer to handle the job for you. If you have had constant issues with mold and algae, now is also the time to talk to your roofer about a more permanent solution to prevent long-term roof damage.

Gutter Cleaning and Repairs

Your gutters work hard all year long to funnel water away from your home, preventing damage to your roof, siding, and foundation. Fall brings its own unique challenges with regard to your gutters, as falling leaves and other debris can easily clog or damage your home’s gutter system. During the latter portion of the year, you should have your gutters cleaned at least three times: once in the late summer, once in the early fall, and once in the late fall. Ensuring your gutters are clean during the changing of the seasons will prevent leaves and debris from causing blockages that lead to overflowing gutters, which can also damage your roof. Having clean gutters as winter sets in will help to prevent ice dams from forming, which can be particularly detrimental to your roof. In addition to ensuring your gutters are clean, also inspect them to look for damage or wear. Address issues immediately; if water is allowed to freeze in a damaged gutter during the winter, it can expand and cause significant roofing problems.

Fall is one of the best times of the year to have your roof repaired or even replaced. You can find more information about commercial and residential roofing solutions by clicking through our comprehensive website. We also invite you to check out our current web specials to help you get the most from your roof in Fairfax County this year!

Getting the Most from Your Roofing Contractor

Roof repairs and installation are not do-it-yourself jobs. Because your roof plays such an integral role in the comfort, safety, and curb appeal of your home, it’s important to work with a professional roofer to address roof issues or replacement. Whether you are searching for a new roofer or simply looking to get more out of your relationship with your current roofing company, keep reading to discover how you can get the most from your roofing contractor in Fairfax County.

Choosing a New Roofer

If you don’t have an established relationship with a roofing company, now is a great time to look for one. Professional repairs, cleaning, and maintenance will extend the longevity of your roof, making establishing and maintaining a relationship with a roofer in your area a great benefit. Additionally, finding a roofer before you need major roof repairs or replacement allows you to be more selective during the process and find a roofer that works well with your needs, preferences, and budget. When choosing your roofing company, check first to ensure the roofer is licensed and insured in your area. This ensures that your roofer is legally allowed to perform work on your roof and that roofers are covered by insurance in case of an accident while on your property. If you have special needs or concerns regarding your roof, such as a steep pitch or less common type of roofing material, talk to potential contractors to ensure they specialize in these areas. You can also ask for a portfolio or references to gain a better idea of your roofer’s work.

Working with Your Roofer

Once you’ve chosen the right roofer for you, it’s also important to maintain your relationship with them. While some roofing maintenance tasks, such as gutter cleaning, can be performed without professional help, you should schedule a professional roof inspection one to two times per year to ensure your roof remains in good shape. This will not only allow you to maintain an open dialogue with your roofer, it will ensure your roofer has up-to-date information about your roof in case repairs or replacement are needed. An inspection will also identify areas of wear or damage so they can be addressed before they can grow and cause more problems. During your roofing inspections, talk to your roofer about any areas of concern or ask about additional tasks you could be performing to improve the performance of your roof. Your contractor will be happy to help you get the most from your roof by suggesting further maintenance or how to improve your roof care techniques. If your roof does need major work, be open about your concerns, preferences, and budget. Without this information, your roofer cannot know how you want to proceed; by ensuring your roofer understands your needs, you can work together to achieve a result you’ll love at a price with which you’re comfortable.

The right roofer can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining a safe, sound, and appealing roof. If you need the help of an experienced roofing contractor licensed and insured in Arlington, Bethesda, Fairfax County, and beyond, visit our website for more information or to request an estimate online.

Cleaning Your Dishwasher

Are you uncomfortable with the idea of washing your dishes in a dirty dishwasher? Regular cleaning is an essential part of dishwasher maintenance—it also ensures your dishes are cleaned properly and thoroughly each time. A dirty dishwasher is more likely to clog and cause problems when washing your dishes, while regular care will ensure your dishwasher not only looks great, but will last much longer and is less likely to break down as well.

Cleaning the Interior

When cleaning your dishwasher, start with the interior. The best time to clean inside your dishwasher is just after you’ve run a wash cycle. Remove the racks and utensil baskets from the appliance and wipe down every interior surface with a mixture of water and white vinegar or an eco-friendly cleaner. Using non-toxic cleansers is important in your dishwasher because it is used to wash the dishes, glasses, and utensils you use to cook and eat. For particularly stubborn buildup, you can make a paste from baking soda and water; scrub using a soft microfiber cloth or cleaning toothbrush to avoid scratching the interior of your dishwasher. While cleaning, make sure to check the arms as well—if there is buildup in the nozzles on the arm, use a toothpick or pipe cleaner to remove it. Clogged spray nozzles can cause water pressure to build up while your dishwasher is running, leading to leaks. Also make sure to check and clean areas such as the interior panel just under the door and, if your dishwasher employs one, the filter. You can remove the filter completely and disassemble it for easier cleaning. Finally, clean your racks and utensil baskets before replacing them with a soft sponge, wiping down every surface to get them completely clean.

Cleaning the Door

In addition to cleaning the interior of your dishwasher, cleaning the door will remove any debris to ensure a tighter seal while the appliance is running to prevent leaks. Wipe around the seal with a soft cloth soaked in white vinegar. For tighter spots, you can use a cleaning toothbrush or cotton swab dipped in vinegar to clear away any buildup and food debris. As you clean, check the gasket for damage—if your gasket appears to be cracked or damaged in any way, replace it to avoid leaks. Next, clean the interior surface of the door, paying special attention to any soap or rinse agent holders. These can become caked with buildup over time, affecting your dishwasher’s efficiency. You may need to place a damp cloth over these areas to moisten any remaining detergent for easier removal. Finally, clean the exterior of the door by wiping it down; if your appliance has any inset buttons, dials, or controls, use a cotton swab or toothbrush to clean them.

A clean dishwasher not only looks more appealing, it will last longer, too. If you’re having appliance troubles in Portland, visit our website to schedule appliance repair in the Vancouver and Portland areas. You can find out more about maintaining and troubleshooting your dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, and more on our blog.

Sewer Line Problem Symptoms and Solutions

Do you know how to identify potential sewer problems and how to solve them? Most homeowners rarely think about their sewer line, but this important plumbing component controls the wastewater flow away from your home. Learning to identify signs that your sewer line is clogged or damaged will alert you to the need for professional plumbing help to correct the issue and prevent sewage backup or other plumbing problems in your Houston home.

Signs of a Clogged Sewer Line

Just like the other plumbing lines in your home, your sewer line can be clogged by either organic or inorganic debris. A clogged sewer line is likely to cause slow drains in your home. The difference between a single clogged drain and a clogged sewer line is that you will notice more than one fixture in your home is draining slowly. Toilets in particular are often affected by sewer line clogs, making flushing them a more difficult and slow process. If your toilets are working correctly, your plumbing problem is not likely to be caused by a sewer line clog. Other signs of a sewer line clog include water backups in some fixtures when others are in use—for instance, flushing the toilet may cause water to back up into your tub or shower. You may also notice rings of soap scum or mineral deposits around tub and shower drains. These rings occur when water backs up into the drain, leaving behind deposits before it can drain away again.

Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line

In some cases, sewer lines can become cracked or otherwise damaged, causing sewage leaks. The major signs of a broken sewer line can be seen in your lawn above the damaged section of pipe. Leaking sewage from a broken sewer line can cause your lawn to feel spongy or develop puddles of standing water. Because your sewer line leaks untreated wastewater, you may also smell a strong foul odor. Excess water may cause the area of your lawn around a leak to experience lush overgrowth of weeds and landscaping.

Solutions for a Clogged or Damaged Sewer Line

If you suspect your sewer line is clogged, you can attempt to snake the line using a sewer snake. Don’t flush drain cleaning chemicals down your drains in the hopes of clearing a sewer line clog—these chemicals can damage your plumbing or cause problems if they leak into the soil of your yard. However, the best way to address a clogged or damaged sewer line is to contact your professional plumber for help. Your plumber will be able to quickly and easily diagnose the problem and make repairs without causing you stress or inconvenience. In many cases, damaged sewers can be repaired via trenchless technology in less than a day.

Although you may not think about your home’s sewer line until you experience a problem, you can take steps to protect this important plumbing component. Reduce your water usage and avoid overusing your garbage disposal or flushing garbage down your drains and toilets. If you do encounter sewer issues or other plumbing problems in your Houston home, visit our website to schedule immediate plumbing services from a professional and friendly Mr. Rooter plumber. You can find more tips for spotting signs of plumbing trouble and avoiding common plumbing problems on our blog.

Protecting Your Sewer Line

Your home’s sewer line is an essential component of your overall plumbing system. The sewer line is responsible for carrying all of your home’s wastewater to a sewer main, where it is then transported to a water treatment facility. Your home has only one sewer line to handle all of your wastewater needs; sewer line problems such as leaks and backups can disrupt your daily life until repairs are made. Taking steps to protect your sewer line will thus prevent problems associated with this important plumbing system.

Manage Your Wastewater

Regardless of how much water you use in your home, your sewer line will remain the same size. This means that excessive water use could overload your sewer line and lead to clogs or backups. Using your plumbing wisely and being aware of what goes down your drains will help to keep your sewer line clear and functioning properly. You can reduce your water usage by installing low-flow fixtures such as low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, and sink faucet aerators. These devices use less water while maintaining the level of comfort to which you are accustomed. Additionally, take care when using your disposal. Avoid grinding large amounts of food, animal bones, grease and fat, corncobs, or rice and pasta. All of these items can cause clogs in your sewer line that may result in problematic backups. Finally, avoid flushing garbage down your toilets. You should never flush any manmade item except for toilet paper down a toilet; even if items do not clog your toilet’s drain, they can travel through your home’s plumbing to cause sewer line clogs. Keep a wastebasket next to your toilet and keep the lid down to reduce the temptation to flush garbage and prevent items from being knocked into the bowl.

Maintain Your Yard

Because your sewer line runs under the ground of your yard, maintaining your landscaping can play a role in protecting your sewer drain. Trees and shrubs can send roots deep into the ground in search of water. If these roots encounter your sewer line, they can eventually compromise the pipe, causing it to leak. Tree roots may also grow into your sewer line once they’ve found a ready source of water, causing a clog that cannot be cleared via traditional methods. You can protect your sewer line by planting trees and shrubs that do not develop deep or extensive root systems. Talk to your plumber about locating your sewer line and avoid planting in this area—however, keep in mind that roots can travel quite far from the main plant. Physical root barriers buried around your sewer line can help to divert roots before they can infiltrate the pipe. If you do notice that your sewer line suffers from frequent clogs, have your plumber take a look—he can determine the cause of the clogs and, if tree roots are the culprit, suggest a permanent solution.

Sewer line problems should not be handled on your own—always contact a professional plumber for help cleaning up sewage and solving the cause of your issue. Visit our website to find out more about our comprehensive plumbing services in Anderson, SC, including sewer line repair using trenchless technology. You can also find additional tips for maintaining your home’s plumbing, sewer line, or septic tank on our blog. 

Space-Saving in the Closet

Closet space is a valuable commodity in any apartment. Making the most of your closets will cut down on clutter elsewhere in your apartment and ensure you can find stored items with ease. There are a variety of ways to get more space from your closets, whether you’re looking to change a little or a lot about your storage habits.

In the Hall Closet

Hall closets often become catch-alls for coats, shoes, foul weather gear, cleaning supplies, and much more. The key to organizing your hall closet is to first pull out every item to determine what you need to store in this space. Group like items together using bins or baskets so you can easily find umbrellas, hats, or cleaning supplies. Don’t forget to add a small container for miscellaneous items, such as receipts, keys, and pens. Over-the-door storage racks can provide a great place to store cleaning supplies, while mounting a hook just inside the door allows you to hang brooms, dustpans, leashes, or umbrellas. If your closet is large enough, consider putting a small set of drawers inside to keep hard-to-stack items contained. Keep only the jackets and other outdoor items you need for the particular season in your closet—store other items elsewhere, such as under your bed.

In the Bedroom Closet

Bedroom closets typically serve as storage for your wardrobe. However, this space can easily become overcrowded and disorganized, especially when you are short on time. Start by addressing your shoes—a standalone or over-the-door shoe rack will ensure your floor stays clear, instantly improving the look and the safety of your closet. Hanging rod extenders can double (or triple) the amount of space available in your closet to hang shirts, skirts, slacks, and other clothing. If you prefer to fold your clothes, shelves or hanging baskets will provide ample storage space. You can partition off longer shelving by placing a simple bookend in the middle. Throughout your closet, group like items together to make them easier to find. Small containers, such as boxes or baskets, provide a spot for miscellaneous items, such as watches, jewelry, and cufflinks. If you use your closet to store items such as suitcases, place them flat on the floor so they’ll take up as little space as possible. You can store out-of-season clothing and shoes inside your suitcases to save even more space. Alternatively, store seasonal items that aren’t in use underneath your bed to maximize the current available space in your closet.

Are you ready to enjoy spacious closets, huge windows, stunning views, and on-site concierge service? Carmel Pacific Ridge has all this to offer and more in our luxury apartment community, located in one of the most accessible areas of San Diego. We’re just minutes away from downtown, UTC, and some of the San Diego area’s most popular beach destinations. Visit our website to find out more about our availability, pricing, and move-in specials.

Optimizing Your Studio Apartment Space

Studio apartments offer a unique living experience. Whether you choose to embrace the open floor plan or create the feeling of individual rooms through décor, there are a variety of ways you can choose to optimize your studio apartment space.

Live Along Your Windows

If your apartment features a wall of windows, this can be the ideal place for your daytime living space. Arrange the furnishings and items you use most during the day near or against your windows so you’ll enjoy ample natural light for your daytime activities. Long, low furniture can be ideal for this type of layout, providing the furnishings you need while optimizing the view and light from your windows. Keeping your bed on the opposite side of your studio apartment allows you to create a relaxing and soothing nighttime retreat where you can enjoy a quiet night’s sleep every night. Alternatively, if you love sleeping against a window wall, consider a convertible bed or daybed that can double as a living and sleeping space.

Mix and Match Your Storage

Using a combination of open and closed storage allows you to keep clutter behind closed doors while still providing space for personalization. Open storage, such as shelves and baskets, allows you to store certain items out in the open, where they will contribute to the overall look you’ve created for your apartment. Books, dishes, selected knickknacks, and other decorative items work well in an open storage situation. Closed storage allows you to prevent clutter from taking over; covered decorative boxes, trunks, cabinets, dressers, and drawers provide storage for linens, clothing, and other miscellaneous items that you don’t want readily visible at all times.

Delineate Spaces via Decoration

One of the biggest advantages of a studio apartment is its single open living space. However, if you want to delineate certain spaces for dining, working, sleeping, and enjoying company or entertainment, there are many ways to create the feeling of separate rooms while still enjoying the open feeling of your apartment. Finding ways to visually separate each space in your studio without physically laying down dividers is one of the most creative and fun aspects of living in a studio apartment. Planters, lamps, and large vases are all decorative elements that can also be used to define the corners of a given space. Area rugs make great space dividers without placing a physical barrier between the various spaces you choose to create. You can also use your furniture to divide your studio—place your couch with the back facing the inner portion of the room to create your “living room” or use a bookcases and filing cabinets to frame your desk and “home office.”

Carmel Pacific ridge features spacious studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for rent in San Diego, California. You’ll love your expansive windows, upscale finishes, and the access you’ll receive to a variety of amazing community amenities. We invite you to check out our floor plans and apartment features on our website, where you’ll also find our extensive gallery and interactive map of our local neighborhood highlights.

Caring for Your Washing Machine

Since the early 1990s, electric washing machines have made washing clothes in the home easy and convenient. Although modern washing machines need very little care, what maintenance they do need is important to ensure your washer continues functioning efficiently. A poorly-maintained washing machine is more prone to malfunction, as well as using more water than necessary and raising the cost of washing your clothes.

Inspect and Replace the Hoses

Burst washing machine hoses are the most common reason for filing a homeowners’ insurance claim. Most washing machines have two hoses, which are connected side-by-side to two water valves in your wall. These valves are typically behind your washing machine, so you may need to move the appliance to find them. Check the state of these hoses a few times each year with an eye to areas that appear damaged, kinked, or cracked. If you do spot signs of damage, replace the hoses immediately. Even if your hoses appear fine, you should still replace them every five years. For the best insurance against burst hoses, use steel braided hoses, which are much stronger and more resistant to wear and kinking.

Level the Machine

Your washing machine should be level and rest closely to the floor of your laundry room. A machine that is too high or not properly leveled can vibrate during spin and wash cycles, causing damage to itself or anything around the washer. Once a year, use a level to determine if your washing machine is off-kilter. You can adjust the front legs of the washing machine as necessary using the locknuts on these legs, which can be loosened while you adjust the legs and then tightened to keep the legs from moving. Most washing machines have self-adjusting back legs; once you’ve adjusted the front legs, tilt the machine forward to raise the back legs three to four inches off the ground. Lower the machine back to the ground, allowing the legs to adjust automatically. If your machine doesn’t have self-adjusting back legs, they’ll likely have locknuts that should be adjusted just like those in the front.

Clean the Interior

The interior wash tub of your washing machine does most of the machine’s hard work. As it separates dirt and suds from your clothing, your washing machine can become coated in residue that affects its efficiency. Once a month, clean the wash tub by running a wash cycle using a washing machine cleaning solution or baking soda and vinegar. To clean the other interior surfaces of your washing machine, you can create a paste of baking soda and water and scrub away any buildup with a cloth or toothbrush. Rise with clean water and dry to enjoy your fresh, clean washing machine.

Taking good care of your washing machine will reduce the likelihood of problems. However, even the best cared for washers may need maintenance and repairs from time to time. If you’re experiencing a problem you can’t solve, visit our website to learn more about appliance repair in Portland or to schedule your service online. Check out our blog for even more articles on maintaining and troubleshooting your washer, dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher.

How to Save Energy while Using Central Air Conditioning

Most of us know that there are many appliances on the market today that are designed to operate without using the high volume of energy that their predecessors used. While buying a high-efficiency air conditioning unit is a good start, your efforts at being more environmentally friendly shouldn’t start there. In addition to using an air conditioning service to provide regular AC maintenance to keep the air conditioning operating at optimal efficiency, there are also ways to save energy that start with the selection of the unit you have installed.

Purchase the Right Size AC Unit for Your Home

While some homeowners think that keeping their air conditioning system on the small side will prevent it from using too much energy, the opposite is true. The unit will have to work that much harder to try to keep the entire home cooled. As a result, it uses more energy. The same is true for a unit that is too large. Have a technician look at your home and evaluate the perfect size. Otherwise, you will end up with a unit that uses more energy and doesn’t do an efficient job of keeping your home cool and comfortable.

Have the Unit Professionally Installed

Installing your air conditioning system should never be a do-it-yourself project, or left in the hands of an air conditioning service that doesn’t have the experience to install all models of AC systems. Proper installation plays a large role in the efficiency of the unit, and the amount of wear and tear. 

Install a Thermostat that You Can Program

Only cooling your home from the time immediately before you arrive until you leave in the mornings can save a significant amount of energy use, in comparison to leaving the AC running throughout the day. 

Maintain AC Maintenance

Regular AC maintenance is essential to make the system run efficiently, and it will extend the life of the AC unit. A regular maintenance plan ensures that your AC will be taken care of professionally, without any need for you to remember when it’s time to call for service. 

Any additional changes you make to your home, such as adding energy-efficient windows, doors, or lighting, will improve your energy usage and help your AC unit make your home more comfortable. To learn more about our professional AC installation, call Aire Serv of Wichita Falls at 940-447-4966.