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September 2009: The second season is in full swing here at the beach and cool mornings have probably already made you reach for that jacket you put away so many months ago. But while you’re switching out your closets for cooler weather, don’t forget to prepare the rest of your home for the change of seasons …

July 2009: With the fall rapidly approaching (did we ever get that really hot summer weather anyway?), now is the time to start preparing for the change of seasons. I always recommend having your HVAC equipment checked for proper operation twice a year, but this service becomes even more important when your heating system is fuel burning ...

May 2009: Fresh boardwalk smell: a combination of Thrasher’s, sunscreen and salt air. Parking meters. AUCE any type of seafood imaginable. The Jolly Trolley.  Yep, it must be summer here in slower lower Delaware! And as much as there is nowhere I’d rather be, there are a particular brand of nuisances that come with living or owning a home here at the beach, especially in the summer when beautiful beach days could have you tracking half the beach back to your home on your feet and in your beach bags ...

March 2009: Taxes is a four-letter word ... usually. I’m always talking about maintaining your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment with regular check-ups and filter changes to prevent breakdowns and preserve efficiency; it’s the best way to get the most out of your comfort equipment, for the longest period of time...

November 2008: With costs rising in almost every sector of our lives, it’s important to save money when and where we can.  In extreme-temperature months, energy usage is a great place to make small changes that can translate into substantial savings...

September 2008: It’s almost a universal experience: you flush the toilet and then stand, frozen, as the water rises, hoping that it will stop before it goes over the edge.  If you’re really lucky, this happens at a friend or family member’s house, in the only bathroom, while people wait outside for you and there’s no plunger in sight.  Fortunately though, some quick action can prevent an overflow.  When you see the water going up instead of down ... 

July 2008: How does this sound: improve your home’s comfort, save money and reduce your carbon footprint? By using energy efficiently in your home, you can prevent air pollution from power plants and save money!  In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy...

May 2008: Yes, summer is well on it’s way and that means it’s time for me to jump back on my preventative-maintenance-bandwagon and share some easy “best practices” for keeping you and your family comfortable all summer long ...

March 2008: If you’re worried your air conditioner may quit on you at the most inopportune moment, ask yourself these questions ...

January 2008: Well, winter seems to have finally arrived here at the beach and with it, cold, dry air infiltrating our homes.  Luckily, you don’t have to live in sweaters and UGG boots to keep your utility bills reasonable this winter...

November 2007: The holidays are a stressful time for all of us, but also for your plumbing.  With Thanksgiving, the plethora of religious holidays, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day arriving in close proximity to each other, your plumbing will probably work overtime this season accommodating guests.  But, you can avoid having to call a plumber to work overtime on a holiday, if you (and your guests) take some simple precautions ...

September 2007: Humidity is often overlooked as a major factor that contributes to or detracts from the comfort of your home.  However, humidity above or below the optimal range can have a significant impact on your comfort and health; in the fall and winter months, low humidity levels outside contribute to dry, uncomfortable air inside ...

July 2007: Energy efficiency is an increasingly urgent concern as gas, propane and electricity are only becoming more expensive and new studies further decipher and highlight related environmental issues. This summer, you can help out your air conditioning equipment and cut down on utility bill woes with a couple of these easy energy-savers …

March 2007: With spring on its way, the time is approaching to fling wide the windows and let in the fresh air. Unfortunately, with the warm air also comes dust, pollen and the rapid spread of other indoor and outdoor air pollutants – including that particular smell of spring that we have so much of here in Sussex County. As always, keeping your air conditioning system in mind during this period between season extremes will help make the transition from winter to summer in your home a smooth one ...

November 2006: Although the lower eastern shore has certainly been blessed with beautiful weather this fall, each 70 degree day that comes fewer and farther between has me looking ahead to the holiday season, plummeting winter temperatures and the thought that, unfortunately, fall can only last so long. As you prepare for holiday shopping and family gatherings, make sure your home is prepared to take you problem-free through the winter months...

March 2006: Whether its a in a lightning storm or in your home, electricity can be dangerous if you don't take the proper precautions and know what you're doing. Luckily, there are a couple of actions you can safely take if you seem to be having electricity problems in your home ...

November 2005: SEER? What, like cook a steak? Actually, SEER doesn't have anything do to with cooking, but it has been the word, or rather, acronym, on everyone's lips in the heating and air industry lately ...

July 2005: Well, it seems like the summer weather has hardly gotten here, but already it's time to start thinking about preparing for the fall and winter and what this change of seasons means for your home ...

May 2005: Indoor air quality should be a year-round concern. Indeed, with an increasing number of people beginning to suffer from ailments like allergies and asthma, everyone from homeowners to the E.P.A. are looking toward indoor air quality when chronic symptoms appear ...

January 2005: Its hard to prepare for emergencies; by their very definition they defy it. But when an emergency does occur, what you don't know can hurt you. During plumbing emergencies, one of the worst things not to know is the location of your shut-off valves. If water is dripping underneath your sink, leaking from the bottom of your toilet or bursting from a broken pipe, the last thing you want to do is have to spend precious minutes searching for that shut-off valve ...

September 2004: This is the time of the year to start preparing for the cold winter months. As is usually my theme in these articles, preventative maintenance and preparation are the keys to keeping your heating, air conditioning and plumbing equipment in working order all year round ...

May 2004: I think Henry James summed it up pretty succinctly: Summer afternoon summer afternoon ... the two most beautiful words in the English language. Unfortunately however, that same beautiful summer afternoon can seem cloudy and dark when a plumbing or air conditioning emergency requires your time, energy or money. You're not stuck outside in the pouring rain without an umbrella though. Keep your indoor comfort systems running smoothly by practicing good preventative maintenance and spend your free time enjoying the warm weather activities we wait all year for ...

January 2004: As so many have learned during the most recent cold snap (if the ringing of our phones is any indication), the
proper functioning of our plumbing and heating is a convenience too easy to take for granted. Take care of yourself and your home by paying attention to the development of noises, twinges or hiccoughs in the operation of your equipment; they are probably indications of a more serious problem brewing in your home comfort system ...

September 2003: How many times a day do you use the plumbing in your house? Between your toilet, shower, sinks, faucets, dishwasher, garbage disposal and water heater probably a lot more than you first realize. If all is well, water and waste flow unimpeded through the different pipes of your residence, keeping you and your home clean, yet most of us do not take the time to ensure that our plumbing inside and out is and remains in good working condition through simple upkeep and maintenance procedures ...

July 2003: As you begin to ready your home for the coming winter season, don't forget to keep the protection of your plumbing and your heating and air conditioning equipment in mind ...