Cleaning HVAC Coils Boosts Heating & Cooling Efficiency in your Home

www.carolinacountry.com/storypages/howtos/trythis/trythis5.12.html Cleaning A/C coils boosts efficiency As the weather gets warmer and warmer, it is wise to make sure your existing central air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible to reduce your electric bills. There are some things you can do yourself to keep your central air conditioner running as efficiently as possible. It should be noted, though, that doing some things yourself does not preclude having regular professional service calls. Technicians have special equipment and pressure gauges to check the internal components of the system, which is impossible for

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5 Tips to Help Get Your HVAC System Ready For Summer

Well spring has sprung but there is still time to get these things checked off your Honey-do list that will help your HVAC system through what is predicted to be a record breaking summer! *Turn off the AC before mowing the lawn to prevent grass and dirt from being drawn into the unit. *If your outdoor unit is in direct sunlight for more than 2 hours a day, plant nearby shrubs to provide shade. This produces a cooler running temperature which will increase the unit’s efficiency. *However, if you do decide to plant those shrubs

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Promotions – 0% APR FOR 60 MONTHS!* WITH EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS

Trane’s Current Offer Offer available only through Trane Comfort Specialist™ dealers 0% APR For 60 Months* FOR “Special rate of 0% APR with 60 equal monthly payments*” WITH EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS *The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for

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Refrigerant Shortage Driving AC Repair Costs Up

The soaring cost of some refrigerants will mean sharply higher air-conditioner repair costs this spring, experts say, adding a bit of gloom to this week’s early bloom. The refrigerant known as R-22 is being phased out because it eats Earth’s protective ozone layer. R-22 air conditioners were made until 2010, and millions still operate. But owners who need to replace leaked refrigerant this year are in for a nasty surprise: R-22 prices have tripled since January. Homeowners who would have paid $100 to recharge an R-22 system last year can now expect to pay

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Homefront Defense Against Allergies

Don’t look now, but your home is under assault. Allergy season has officially begun in the Carolinas Piedmont, with the first windborne tree pollen – cedar, maple and birch – drifting invisibly through the air in the first weeks of February, sneaking into your home’s cracks and crevices. Those allergens will soon be followed by the pollen of oaks and grasses, on into the march of misery-inducing menaces that peak with late-summer ragweed. And that’s just the stuff outside. Inside, homeowners may face pet allergies, dust mites or mold. And then

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What’s going on with R22?

Recent actions by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding HCFCs have led to uncertainty about the availability of R-22 in the coming months and years. In response, contractors have noticed a ramp-up in the chatter about R-22 and price changes as some manufacturers and importers have amended their sales policies. This situation is the culmination of several factors, including the continued implementation of the federal government’s policies regarding HCFCs, current market conditions, and delays in the regulatory process. As most contractors know, the EPA controls the production of HCFCs, including the refrigerant known as R-22,

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Duke Energy Seeks 15 Percent N.C. Rate Hike

By Bruce Henderson Duke Energy to offer employee buyouts Duke Energy filed Friday for an overall 15 percent rate hike, its largest such request in North Carolina in at least 20 years. It’s the second of three increases Duke plans to seek as it rebuilds its aging fleet of power plants. Duke also gave notice Friday that it will soon file a rate case in South Carolina. Consumer advocates and customer groups attuned to the state’s soft economy will try to pare down Duke’s request. A hearing before the N.C. Utilities Commission is expected

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Three Ways to Detect and Fight Mold in the Home

Heavy rains and water leaks can lead to mold and mildew problems at home. But what do you do when the worst happens? September is National Mold Awareness Month, and the nonprofit Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics recommends consumers be vigilant about preventing mold, dealing with it immediately after it occurs and choosing cleaning products wisely. “Mold represents a health risk, especially for the approximately 50 million people in the U.S. affected by allergies,” said Nancy Sander, president of AANMA. Bleach and other toxic cleaners used to kill mold spores are known

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