It never seems to fail—the air conditioning starts acting up just when you need it the most. During hot summer days, it can be difficult to get a repair company to come to your home immediately because they're generally swamped with service requests when temperatures rise. Air conditioning systems typically experience malfunctions during the first serious heat wave of the season because they're having to work harder than usual. Fortunately, there are certain fixes that you can perform yourself if you've got basic tools.

If you want to make some major upgrades in your home, then a new cooling system may be at the top of your list. Air conditioning systems can make your home more comfortable, reduce moisture in your house, and increase your home's value. However, a new cooling system is a huge purchase that can cost you as much as $10,000. To make the most of your purchase, you should choose the unit that is the most efficient.

Electric radiant heating systems can be mounted in both ceilings and floors, and while both offer advantages of their own, homeowners should be cautious about ceiling-mounted systems. Below is more information about radiant heating in ceilings, its disadvantages, and why you should consider radiant floor heating instead: What is radiant ceiling heating? Radiant ceiling heating has been used in homes dating back to the middle of the 20th century. Installations are conducted in a variety of formats, including heating cables run through plaster and wiring sandwiched between layers of drywall.

If you live in an attic apartment, it may be warm and toasty during the winter, but when summer rolls around, you are likely to find it sweltering. A window air conditioner may be the answer to keeping your attic apartment cool. Here's what you need to know about buying the right air conditioner for your attic apartment. How Do You Know What Size AC Unit You Need? You need an air conditioner that is the right size for the area.

When was the last time you replaced the air filter on your furnace? If you can't remember, don't worry - you're not alone. It's not out of the ordinary for homeowners to forget all about replacing their furnace filter in a timely manner. Although there seems to be no immediate downside to ignoring this seemingly trivial task, not replacing your filter can have some long-term consequences for your furnace. Here are a few reasons why replacing your furnace filter is an absolute must.

You have decided to rent out your basement to generate some extra income to help with living expenses? As you prepare your basement for renters, make sure you follow all the legal requirements to make it into an apartment. Here are some tips to help you ready your basement apartment's heating system and make sure it has the appropriate ceiling height. Heating System As you convert your basement into a rental apartment, you need to make sure the basement has a heating system in place.

As a homeowner, you most likely have faced many repairs and updates on your house. From replacing loose shingles and fixing a leaky faucet, these updates are necessary for your home's appeal, function, and value. Unfortunately, you may not be placing enough emphasis on your home's heating and cooling needs. Considering more than half of your home's energy usage stems from heating and cooling, periodic maintenance and repairs is essential. Not only will these tasks ensure your system is working properly, but they will also ensure the system is working without wasting energy.

After faithfully serving your home's cooling needs for months on end, your central A/C unit could use a break. With the fall and winter months on the way, your climate control needs will inevitably shift towards keeping your home nice and warm. That means you won't be using your A/C for the next few months. It'll be a while before summertime temperatures give way to cooler weather. However, that doesn't mean you can't start preparing your A/C for a well-deserved rest.

From carrying reusable shopping bags and buying recycled art to composting and upcycling building material, it is easy to see the trendy nature of going green. Fortunately, going green has become a part of home construction. Considering toilets are an imperative part of your home, installing eco-friendly versions can be a great investment. Of course, you may not understand the concept behind these green plumbing fixtures. Using this guide, you will understand the beneficial lowdown on low flow toilets and learn the best techniques to clean and maintain your new bathroom fixture.

When you turn your heat on in your home, you may have a foul smell coming from your vents. This makes it very difficult to be comfortable and happy in your home. There are several types of odors you may experience for many different reasons. Here are the reasons odors appear in your ducts and how you can effectively get rid of them. Types of Odor Different homes may have different odors coming from the vents.