How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

June 6, 2021

Whether you have a tendency to turn the air conditioning on as soon as the temperatures creeps up or you wait until the last possible day to do so, you should recognize that there are other ways to cool down the house. In fact, on a beautiful spring or early summer day, an indoor breeze can be quite pleasant. Further, you need to know what to do in the event that the air conditioner fails. Invest in Powerful Fans One little fan in the living room probably isn’t enough to keep your entire home cool. However,

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Why Do Air Conditioners Freeze Up?

May 19, 2021

An air conditioner can eventually freeze up due to several reasons. However, it’s usually a simple fix. Understanding the cause of the problem is important in helping you take care of this issue to ensure you and your family can stay comfortable. Here are a few of the most common reasons for an AC unit to freeze up. 1. Not Enough Refrigerant One of the top reasons for air conditioner problems is low refrigerant levels. You may notice that your AC isn’t cooling as effectively due to frost in your system. However, this issue will often

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Should I Turn Off My Gas Furnace in the Summer?

April 13, 2021

Summers are warm and humid in Smith Mountain Lake, VA, so you’re unlikely to need your gas furnace until autumn arrives. You may wonder whether or not it’s a good idea to turn off your gas furnace while you’re not using it. Here are a couple of reasons why it’s a smart decision to shut down the furnace and the steps you can take in order to do this safely. Save Money Older furnaces typically use a pilot light. These are always on and burning gas. Even when the furnace isn’t running, the pilot still burns

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How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

March 17, 2021

Most water heaters have a large, insulated tank to hold hot water and ensure that your home has plenty of hot water all the time. Naturally occurring water minerals, grit flushed from municipal lines, and sand accumulate over time and settle in the tank’s bottom. The sediment buildup in a water heater tank can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of the unit. Additionally, it can interfere with ongoing maintenance and plug the drain to cause early water heater failure. Therefore, it’s necessary to drain water heaters often to eliminate the sediments. Follow these simple steps to drain your water

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What Type Of Water Heater Is Most Energy Efficient?

February 16, 2021

Water heating accounts for about 20% of a typical American household’s energy use. When your Roanoke, VA, home needs a new water heater, energy efficiency should play a role in your decision of which one to have our plumbers at Roanoke Mechanical Heating & Cooling install in your house. Here’s what you need to know about which type of water heater is the most energy-efficient. Fuel Type There are many types of fuel that can be used to power a water heater. Electricity is a common source of power for water heaters. There are conventional storage water heaters, electrical heat

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Cooling – Boiler Systems 101

January 20, 2021

Boilers are often misunderstood by homeowners. They can be useful in a variety of situations and operate in a highly energy-efficient manner. Having the right boiler in your home could lower your energy bills and be a great investment. How Boiler Systems Work Boilers produce large quantities of hot water for a variety of uses. They can also boil water when needed. They can be used for cooking, showers, and as part of a central heating system. While furnaces can only produce hot air, boiler systems can perform a variety of tasks. They can be

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Should I Be Worried About Carbon Monoxide in My Home?

December 17, 2020

When taking care of your home and family in Roanoke, it’s important to understand which threats are overblown and which threats are truly worth worrying about. At Roanoke Mechanical Heating & Cooling, we want you to know that although carbon monoxide is a threat that you should be concerned about, it’s also one of the easiest threats to address. With the proper safety measures in place, you won’t need to worry about carbon monoxide in your home. Some Information About Carbon Monoxide In a perfect world, carbon monoxide would never be created in your home. That’s because the ideal byproduct

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4 Reasons Your Heater Is Emitting a Burning Smell

November 19, 2020

A burning smell coming from your Roanoke, VA, home’s heater isn’t always an urgent problem. It can happen for some common reasons that aren’t a cause for concern. One of these four things could be causing your heater to smell like it’s burning. 1. Dust Buildup If you smell a burning odor the first time you use your heater during the autumn or winter, dust accumulation is a likely cause. Dust can get into the combustion chamber or onto the coils. It can also get into the blower and ducts. The odor should go away

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How to Optimize Your Thermostat Settings for Fall

October 20, 2020

The heat and humidity of summer have departed Roanoke, VA, which means that it’s time to update your thermostat’s settings for fall. Making some adjustments to your thermostat settings ensures that you’ll be comfortable without seeing a huge increase in your utility bills. Read on to learn about the best thermostat settings for the autumn season. Set the Temperature The optimal temperature in your home during the fall is 68 degrees. The closer your thermostat is to this temperature, the more money you’ll save. On the occasional warm days, your home’s heating system will get a

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How Air Pollution Poses Largest Threat to Children

September 18, 2020

Children spend more time indoors these days than ever before, and there are many reasons why. Unsafe neighborhoods, unhealthy outdoor air, remote or virtual learning and preference for videos and video games over outdoor activities are a few. You might be surprised to know that your Roanoake, VA, home’s air could be up to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. Read on to learn three ways polluted air affects your child’s health. 1. Worse Asthma Symptoms Researchers have found that children who have asthma and are exposed to high levels of indoor or outdoor

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