It’s common to have some rooms in your home that always get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.  In an effort to force more air into the needed room(s), you close some vents in the little-used rooms. This may seem like a good idea, but you may be doing more harm than good when you seal ...Read More...

Have you ever wondered how your house measures up to similar houses in your area?  The Home Energy Yardstick provides an online analysis of energy use of your home compared to that of similar homes, taking into account the effects of local weather, home size, number of occupants, and your home's energy ...Read More...

One of our employees, Jeff Parks, along with a group we belong to, BOMA, (Building Owners and Managers Association) has become involved with a charity formed by two women. They needed a van so they could deliver food and supplies to the homeless in both Nashville and Lebanon.  We decided we could fix ...Read More...

  This is part 3 of our 3-part series on alternatives to zoning. Zoning refers to creating separate thermostatically-controlled areas within your home.  But, before doing an expensive retro fit or buying a new multi-zoned system, try some of these things to address and possibly alleviate uneven temperatures ...Read More...

  This is part 2 of our 3-part series on alternatives to Zoning. Zoning refers to creating separate thermostatically-controlled areas within your home to help even out the hot and cold spots.  But, before doing an expensive retro fit or buying a new multi-zoned system, try some of these things to ...Read More...

  In a previous post, we talked about zoning: creating separate thermostatically-controlled areas within your home to help even out the hot and cold spots.  Although zoning can save you up to 30% in energy costs, it is not without cost itself. Suppose you don’t want the expense of replacing your ...Read More...

The long, humid summers in Middle Tennessee are conducive to mold and mildew and its associated odors forming in your home.  In this post, we’ll help you get to the bottom of any mold issues you may have and alleviate this smelly and potentially hazardous problem. What is Mold? Mold is a microscopic ...Read More...

When sizing up a new air conditioner, heat pump, or HVAC unit, it is common to hear the pros throw around terms involving tonnage, saying for example, you need a 3-ton or 4-ton unit.  For reference, 4 tons is about the weight of an adult elephant!  But don’t be alarmed: they’re not talking about the ...Read More...

We’ll frequently encounter a caller complaining about their heating system blowing cold air.  We may ask a few other questions but it comes down to this: what temperature is the thermostat set to and what temperature is it reading in the house?  The answer to those questions can often expose the problem ...Read More...

You’ve probably heard us talk about the benefits of using a programmable thermostat, or have read our head-to-head comparisons of the Nest and Honeywell smart thermostats.  We’ve touted that swapping out your thermostat can be a do-it-yourself project, but, any time you replace a thermostat, you’re ...Read More...

Here is a sample of some of the worst advice we’ve heard over the years when it comes to heating your home. These mistakes may cost you money, damage your system, or sacrifice your comfort. Air Filters:  Some folks buy the higher quality air filters – like the ones that filter allergens – and ...Read More...

In the fall and spring of each year, remembering to change the direction of rotation of your ceiling fans may make a bigger difference than you think!  Knowing which direction they should rotate can sometimes be trickier than it seems. Suppose the directions say the blades should turn clockwise, does ...Read More...

Cooling an empty house – either when you’re gone during the day at work, or when you’re away for an extended vacation – seems like a bad idea since it uses electricity and energy, and wastes money. So, it’s natural to assume that the best way to save money is to turn it off when not in use, right?  ...Read More...

Here in Middle TN, we use our air-conditioners more months of the year than our heat. In fact, the average electricity consumption for Tennessee households is 33% higher than the national average (EIA, 2015 report) and is among the highest in the nation! So anything that can help keep us cool while ...Read More...

Are you a wiz when it comes to air-conditioning facts?  If you’ve been reading our posts or listening to our podcasts over the last year or two, this should be a snap!  Get out a piece of paper and a pencil so you can track your answers, and test your knowledge below.                           ...Read More...