The House Whisperer
AC/DC – Inverted
Reading Time: 3 minutesToday we are going to discuss an older technology that is coming to the forefront of split air conditioning systems. First, the headline is not a reference to one of the greatest rock bands ever, today’s headline references air conditioning systems that convert the typical…
SURGE ALERT – Home Protection
Reading Time: 2 minutesLet’s spend a little time reviewing the ways to protect your home from unexpected electrical power surges. First off, what is a power surge and what causes them? By definition, a power surge is a very brief spike in electrical power that can cause circuits…
AC Condensate Stoppages – MAINTAIN YOUR DRAIN
Reading Time: 3 minutesToday we are going to spend a little time discussing some basic maintenance that you should be performing on your home’s air conditioning system. The first is very obvious, however often forgotten. I myself am guilty of this one and that is remembering to change…
Water Heater Elements – Under Warranty or Not?
Reading Time: 2 minutesWe recently spent a little time discussing what to do if your home’s water heater starts leaking and the steps to minimize the damage. Now I want to spend a little time discussing the internal parts of a water heater, primarily the thermostats and the…
Don’t Drink the Water – Florida’s Water Quality Crisis
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat do you think of when I say South Florida? I’m sure some of the many things that come to mind are sun, sand, beaches, tourists, and of course water. So let’s spend a little time talking about the last item on the list, water….
What Are Those U-Shaped Pipes?
Reading Time: 2 minutesToday I am going to identify something you probably drive by at least a dozen times on your way to and from work, and that is a backflow preventer. Similar to the one pictured, you will find these little gems tucked away on the corner…
Noisy Air Conditioning – My AC is SO LOUD!
Reading Time: 2 minutesWelcome my friends and in the usual tradition I am opening today’s post with a bold statement. A properly designed HVAC system should never be seen, felt or heard. You should just walk into your home or office and whatever the thermostat is set at…
Aeroseal® – To Seal or Not to Seal
Reading Time: 3 minutesThat is the question. As usual we shall start today with an acronym, BTU – which stands for British thermal unit and is defined as the energy required to heat one pound of water one degree. It can also be defined as the amount of…
Flood Protection – Protect Your Home From Water Damage
Reading Time: 2 minutesToday I want to boggle your mind with the staggering number of 2.5 billion dollars per year, and no, I’m not talking about the money our government spent on studying shrimp on a treadmill. I am talking about the amount of money that insurance companies…
Attic Rats – Terror From Above
Reading Time: 2 minutesToday I want to spend a little time on what to do if you get unwanted guests in the attic of your home such as rats. First off, how can you tell if you have a rodent problem in the attic? The biggest thing people…
Got Mold? – Revenge of the Cladosporium
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe photograph that accompanies this post is the beginning of what will likely be around a $25,000 project. Do I have your attention yet? The mold testing came back on this home a couple of weeks ago and the black yummy stuff you see depicted…
Help, I’m Melting! – Temperature vs. Humidity
Reading Time: 2 minutesWelcome one and all, and is often the case, my weekly musings are founded in something that has happened recently in my daily travels. Today’s focus is the topic of humidity and some do’s and don’ts when it comes to your air conditioner and controlling…
