Stay Cool In Style!

Can you imagine decorating your home with air conditioning units? With the Art Cool™ series, you’ll want to do just that! While all modern ductless air conditioning units are known for their subtle appearance, the Art Cool™ takes it a step further. Believe it or not, these slim, wall-mounted photo frames contain AC technology, which can add beauty as well as comfort to your home.

The Art of Being Cool

The Art Cool™ AC unit comes with your choice among classic art pieces by famous painters, so you can choose a design that matches your sense of style. If you prefer a more personalized approach, you can opt for the replaceable picture model, which you can customize with your favorite painting or even a family vacation photo (maybe that hilarious one of your family screaming on top of Splash Mountain?) This cutting-edge line by LG offers designer color finishes to match any room’s décor. You can choose from the standard mirror finish and optional panel colors, such as an organic cream white, art flower gold and snow flower white. Alternatives To Reflect Upon
If you’re not much of an art buff and prefer to keep your photos digital, you may want to consider the Art Cool™ Mirror. Instead of a picture, the AC frame technology (available in the same wide variety of colors) holds an ever-tasteful wall mirror, perfect for displaying the finest work of art in your home—your own gorgeous face! Not only will you be accessorizing the room, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a cool breeze while ensuring that your hair is perfectly coiffed.

Beauty and Brains

Not only is this AC unit attractive, it’s highly functional. It can do a lot more than just cool your home. With a convenient wireless remote, you can achieve optimal comfort through the many modes the unit has to offer: Cooling, Heating, Dehumidifying, Fan, Auto, Auto Sleep, and Defrost. Enjoy a natural flow of air with the Chaos Wind feature, which electronically controls fan speeds; or cool the room quickly with the Jet Cool mode, which operates at high fan speeds for 30 minutes. It will be difficult not to forget about the system altogether, since both the indoor and outdoor units operate so quietly. The system even includes a self-cleaning feature to make regular maintenance a breeze (pun intended!). Since the Art Cool™ is a Ductless AC System, it’s the perfect solution for homes with or without ductwork.

You’re Cool, But Are You Art Cool™?

If you’re interested in central air conditioning, but want to minimize the visual impact on your home, LG’s Art Cool™ series may be the perfect solution. Installation of the system is simple, and the quietness and additional features of the units are serious benefits to consider. If you’d like to learn more about the Art Cool™ unit and whether or not it’s right for you, Just Call Heritage or click here to fill out a form online to schedule an appointment with one of our Comfort Advisors, who can provide you with a free estimate and more information on this innovative system.

Why Your HVAC System Is Like Your Car

The average driver puts about 15,000 miles on his or her car each year, which equates to 540 hours. After all of that hard work, you wouldn’t neglect annual maintenance on your vehicle, would you? So why not show your furnace – a vital part of your home – the same kind of love?

Understandably, you use your car practically every day, so routine oil changes are easy to remember and issues are easy to detect. Your HVAC system is tougher to keep top-of-mind as it is locked away in your basement or in a closet, somewhere behind closed doors. If you have a heat pump and compare it to your car running at 55 miles per hour, it runs about 170,000 miles per year (that means about 1.7 million miles in ten years and 2.6 million years in fifteen years). A/C units run the equivalent of over 46,000 miles each year, and oil and gas furnaces run about 126,500 miles per year.

Ever heard of a car that can give you over a million miles of use and last for 15 years?  We’re probably closer to inventing hovercrafts.

We expect our HVAC systems to perform ten times harder and longer than our cars, so it seems logical to give them at least the same level of care and routine maintenance. All costly machines require check-ins and tune-ups, your furnace just as much as your car.

It’s also important to remember that our harsh New England winters are just as tough on our furnaces as they are on us! Lack of yearly maintenance and service will lead your HVAC system to overwork itself, potentially causing damage to the system and increasing your energy bills. A broken-down furnace can also lead to safety issues and other hazards, such as burst pipes, especially when you’re not there to recognize the threat.

We can only expect so much from a system that hasn’t been cared for, and we certainly shouldn’t seek peak performance from it without that regular maintenance! Tasks as simple as having the filters changed on your furnace – which costs about 1/3 the price of an oil change on your vehicle – can ensure higher efficiency from your system, increase its lifespan, and lower your energy expenses.

Annual maintenance on your HVAC system can prevent costly, premature breakdowns, saving you money in the long run. Heritage offers a Clean & Tune service, during which an HVAC professional will ensure your system is running at optimum safety and efficiency. Included in the gas furnace inspection is the changing of any standard filters and completing a carbon monoxide test. During the inspection of an oil furnace, technicians will change any standard filters, the oil nozzle, and the pump strainer.

If you want your furnace or air conditioning system to continue performing at peak condition for years, you should sign up for our Maintenance Value Plan (MVP). The MVP guarantees your yearly safety inspection and cleaning of your furnace. As an MVP member, you’ll even receive a reminder call when your maintenance is due, not to mention priority service and discounts for any other visits you may need throughout the year!

Get started with this fabulous offer for regular maintenance at a reduced price, plus an incredible added bonus of next year FREE!*

*Introductory offer only. Maintenance must be scheduled before end of May. Some restrictions apply. Call for details.

Ask Susan

The Heritage Consultant 

How Do I Thaw Frozen Pipes?

Q: 

If my pipes freeze, is there anything at all I can do to to try to thaw them out?

A:

Actually, there is.  But first, call a plumber; don’t take any chances. Then, while you’re waiting for the plumber, you might be able to thaw the pipe using a hand-held hair dryer.  Slowly apply heat to the pipe, starting close to the faucet end of the pipe, with the faucet open.  Then, work toward the coldest section of the pipe.  (As always, be careful not to use any electrical appliances when you’re standing in water; you could get electrocuted.) You might also try an electric spot heater.  Make sure the area where the pipe is frozen will be exposed to the heat (open cabinet doors, for example).  Then, point the heater toward the frozen area and it will gradually heat the area around the pipe to thaw it.

A couple of warnings are in order.  Do not try to thaw a frozen pipe with any kind of open flame; this will damage thepipe and could even start a fire.  Follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe use of electric spot heaters.  You could try using a heat gun to try to thaw the pipe, (which are basically powerful hair dryers) but be careful.  Heat guns get very hot, and you don’t want to start a fire.

If you ever have any concerns regarding your pipes in the cold whether, please don’t Hesitate to Just Call Heritage at 1-800-977-4737.

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Ask Susan: How Do I Keep Frozen Pipes from Breaking?

Ask Susan: What If My Pipes Burst?

Ask Susan

The Heritage Consultant 

What if My Pipes Burst?

Q: 

One of my frozen pipes burst! What do I do if I can’t shut off the water?!

A:

If a pipe freezes and breaks, once the ice thaws you could end up, literally, all wet—with a flooded house or flooded basement.  So, anytime a pipe breaks, you want to immediately turn off the water at the shut-off valve that brings water into your home; (usually it’s located close to the water meter). Or if you have your own private well, use the shut off that is located near the well holding tank (usually a blue tank).

If, for any reason, your main valve does not work, you should immediately call your local Public Works Department and they can shut off your water at the street curb. Or if you have your own private well, you can turn off the electrical supply to the well pump to stop the leak.  Find your electrical panel(s) and look for a circuit breaker labeled for your well pump and switch it off.

If your basement has flooded because of the burst pipe, you want to consider if you have any live electrical cords that are submerged, or electrical outlets that are covered by the standing water before you walk in the water to get to the shut offs. Generally, if there is 3” or less of standing water, no electrical outlets or fixtures will be submerged and it is safe to walk through the water. If you are in doubt about safety, you should wait for a plumber to come shut off the water, or you should immediately call your local Public Works Department.

If you’re not sure where the shut-off valve is, better to go looking for it now and make sure everyone in your home knows where it is.  That way, if there’s ever an emergency, you won’t waste any time looking.  And, of course, you’ll also want to call your plumber right away to get the break repaired.

If you ever have any concerns regarding your pipes in the cold whether, please don’t Hesitate to Just Call Heritage at 1-800-977-4737.

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Ask Susan: How Do I Thaw Frozen Pipes?

Ask Susan: How Do I Keep Frozen Pipes from Breaking?

Ask Susan

The Heritage Consultant 

How Do I Keep Frozen Pipes from Breaking?

Q: 

In extreme cold spells I worry about pipes freezing and breaking.  We keep a cold water faucet dripping to keep the water flowing and the pipe from freezing.  Are we doing the right thing?  Does it matter which faucet we open?

A: 

Actually, you are partly right.  The little drip works, but not because it keeps the pipe from freezing.  It doesn’t.  Opening the faucet and letting it drip keeps the water pressure from building up inside the pipe.  And this is important, because it is actually not the ice that breaks the pipe.  Pipes break because of the build up of excessive water pressure in the pipe between the ice blockage and the faucet.
So yes, it is a good idea to let a faucet drip during cold weather, because this relieves the excess pressure so that even if the pipe freezes, it won’t break.  Here are some guidelines for letting a “drip” be your “hero”:

1. Since a dripping faucet wastes water, you should only open the faucets that are connected to the pipes that you think are vulnerable to freezing (such as pipes that may run through an unheated or uninsulated space).
2. The drip can be very slight.  Even the slowest drip will provide the relief of pressure that you need.
3. If both hot and cold lines feed into one spigot, open both so that they both contribute slightly to the drip (since both could potentially freeze).
4. If the dripping stops, leave the faucet(s) open.  A pipe may have frozen and will still need the pressure relief to keep from breaking.

If you ever have any concerns regarding your pipes in the cold whether, please don’t Hesitate to Just Call Heritage at 1-800-977-4737.

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Ask Susan: How Do I Thaw Frozen Pipes?

Ask Susan: What If My Pipes Burst?

Video Drainage Inspections

It is not the subject to mention in polite company, especially around the dinner table, but occasionally things can go wrong with the drainage and main sewer line. Even thinking about it can make you go all queasy. In addition to all of this, you might be imagining that the outside of your home will have to be torn up to fix the problem. You can stop worrying, as modern technology will enable the job to be done without all of this disruption.

What Heritage Can Do for You

So you’ve got a drainage dilemma? We can conduct a sewer repair without having to tear up your front yard, driveway or walkway, saving you a major extra expense. We are experts in sewage line and drain repair as well as pipe replacement, and have over a quarter of a century’s experience in the business. Our experts work to the highest of standards, causing you and your family minimal disruption.

We can perform all this work because our kit and machinery allows us to do so. Pipes and sewage lines can be checked without having to be dug up, thanks to our video inspection equipment. What is more, we can remove any blockages through high-pressure jet cleaning. Sewage ejector pumps and our rooter service will eliminate any severe blockages in the sewer line. With our technology, you can have your main drain fixed up without having to see your beautiful backyard in shambles. Now that’s how to get the Problem Solved!

When Things Go Wrong Inside the Home

Things can also go wrong with pipes inside the home, but don’t despair! Whether it is a problem with clogged toilets, bathroom, shower, tub, or kitchen sink drains, or any other related problems, give Heritage a call and make an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.

Our drain and sewer cleaning services use the latest equipment to help solve your drainage and sewer line problems. We even take a look outside to check if any of the drainage pipes or sewage lines have been adversely affected by such things as tree roots and shifting soil, or are suffering from wear and tear.  What is more, we can perform this very efficiently with our video camera line inspection equipment, which avoids us having to dig down to assess the problem.

We also use other equipment to perform such tasks as mechanical drain snaking or hydro jetting for sewer drain lines. This ensures that the job is done as efficiently and as quickly as possible, while causing you the absolute minimum amount of inconvenience.

In order to keep those drains clean and unblocked, Heritage also provides a Bio-Clean service. Bio-Clean is a natural product that is non-poisonous and one of the most powerful on the market. It contains a blend of bacteria and enzymes, and eliminates substances such as sewage, grease, hair, and food waste from the pipes safely.

Our Service

When fixing pipes and sewage lines, and whether working inside our outside your home, we promise a first class plumbing service. Not only do we use state of the art equipment, but also our teams are highly skilled. Along with carrying out their tasks efficiently, our team will ensure that your home is kept as clean as possible during the work and guarantee a thorough clean up when they are finished.

D.I.Y. Drain Cleaning Tips

Clogged drains can cause a lot of hair-pulling, fist-clenching, and teeth-grinding! But fear not – there are numerous techniques you can use to clean a drain! Some of these simply require normal household items, while others may need specific tools, such as a plunger. You can use these techniques at your own discretion, but for best results, we recommend contacting a plumber (Such as Heritage!)

Household Go-tos

When first tackling a clogged drain, it is important to try to use the standard methods before spending a lot of money on a tool that you will probably use only once or twice. The first step is to use home remedies. You should be able to unclog most blockages with a simple plunger. Another technique is to use a saltwater solution. This will prevent horrific odors from creeping up and can keep grease from building up in the drains. This is more of a preventative measure one should take after performing a drain cleaning.

Vinegar & Baking Soda: A Longstanding & Reliable Solution

If you have a slow sink or tub drain, you can try the vinegar and baking soda method to help clear it up. This solution is safe and cheap, and can clear both clogs and strong odors. To make the solution, pour half a cup of baking soda into a drain. Follow this with half a cup of vinegar and then rinse well with boiling water. The vinegar and baking soda technique is an age-old method that can yield excellent results.

Plumbing Tools

A mechanical snake is one of the most effective drain cleaning tools around. It can be pushed down into the drainage system to clear any clogs that have been lodged into the pipe. One method that a lot of people employ when using a mechanical snake is to push the clog down and then use a garden hose on full blast to get rid of any excess mess.

Hot Water: The Underrated Remedy

Many people underestimate the importance of hot water when it comes to drainage problems. Hot water can prevent grease from sticking to the edge of the piping system, which can cause the drastic build-ups that can result in blockages. The simple process of filling a sink with hot water and then letting it drain can be a very effective preventative measure.

Finding out how to clean your drains is not difficult, and in most cases all you will need is a mixture of solutions that can be found in the kitchen or some cheap plumbing equipment. Drain cleaning services are also available if you prefer to avoid the hassle and make sure that everything is sorted out efficiently, or if you have tried all of the other methods without a successful outcome. If a serious drainage issue is suspected, it is always best to contact a professional plumber who will be able to effectively diagnose the problem.

If you want to schedule an appointment to have your drains cleaned at a time that is convenient for you, you can do this online. Enter your details and a trained technician will soon be on the way!

Staying WARM With Ductless AC!

Interested in Ductless? Click to find out if it’s right for you!

Rocketing oil prices here in New Hampshire promise a cold and expensive winter, with householders spending even more of their hard earned dollars trying to stay warm. On top of this, people desperately try to find the lowest oil prices available; however, you can spare yourself all of the anguish by getting a new efficient heating system that will keep out the chill at an affordable price. Here’s the surprising part– the best Heating System for you may in fact be an Air Conditioning System!

Where do I go from here? 

While it is a great idea to rid yourself of that inefficient old heating system which drinks oil and eats up your dollars, you must decide what you are going to replace it with. A Ductless AC Installation is an excellent option.

With one of these systems you can enjoy all of the benefits of Central AC, even if your home does not have a central air duct system. What is more, ductless air conditioning is energy efficient and will slash those sky-high energy bills. Because the system is so quiet, you will barely know it is on – apart from the fact that your home will be snug and warm during cold days and nights.

Ductless air conditioning can be specially designed for your home. This will enable it to heat your home as efficiently as possible, allowing you to stay warm without breaking the bank.

Show me the money!

The buzzwords at the moment are ‘energy’ and ‘efficiency,’ which is hardly surprising as fuel prices continue to rocket. The beauty of the ductless AC system is that it is extremely energy efficient.  It can save between 25% and 50% in energy, leading to a huge saving in those bills. Why worry about finding the best oil prices when you can save a small fortune by getting a new efficient heating system for your home?

While people need to keep warm during the cold winter months, they also want to stay cool during the stifling summer heat. Remember that your ductless AC system will be equally as energy efficient when circulating cool air during the hot weather, meaning that it will save on costs throughout the year.

Love your new system, and it will love you back!

Once your new ductless air conditioning system has been installed, it will be in pristine condition. Naturally you will want to keep it in top condition so that you can enjoy its benefits for years to come.  In order to achieve this, you will need to regularly service your air conditioning system.

There are few things worse than an air conditioning system breaking down. You can almost guarantee that this will happen when you most need the system to be working, either in the depths of the winter cold or at the height of the oppressive summer heat. By having your system serviced annually, you can prevent your ductless AC system from grinding to a halt and ensure you won’t have to pay for costly repairs.

A good way to ensure that your air conditioning enjoys regular servicing and remains in prime condition is to sign up for a Maintenance Value Plan (MVP) like the one Heritage offers. This will ensure that the system remains problem-free and continues to work efficiently year round.

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Copper Pipe vs. PVC Plumbing

Many plumbers will debate over whether copper or PVC is the better material for plumbing. There are many pros and cons associated with both of these materials; however, it is up to the user to figure out which form will best suit his or her home and individual requirements.

Copper

Copper is a metal that is a very strong conductor of heat and electricity. It is often used for piping and holds the majority of the market share. Copper is such an effective plumbing material is because it is strong and lightweight, and can be used for corrosion resistant parts.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride, which is more commonly known as PVC, is both very durable and inexpensive. It is currently becoming more popular in the market and is the preferred material when it comes to large-scale construction projects. PVC is not as versatile as copper piping because it can become toxic when it is heated, thus PVC cannot be used for hot water pipes. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CVPC) is commonly used in these instances, which is an adapted version of PVC that is safe to use for hot water.

The Benefits of Using Copper

A copper pipe will usually last longer than a PVC pipe. It is also bacteria resistant and fire resistant. Copper can retain its strength, even when it has been bent to fit around corners and joints. Copper can be more expensive to purchase than PVC and will require a more skilled plumber; in most cases, however, it will have a much longer lifespan.

The Benefits of Using PVC

Many people choose to use CPVC for their piping needs because it is much cheaper to install than copper piping. It is also easier and does not require a great number of tools or equipment, making it great for people who enjoy DIY projects. CPVC is also corrosion resistant and less noisy than copper piping.

The Winner…

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to pipe installation in a home, and it is up to you to decide which form will best suit his or her personal requirements. Think about your resources prior to making a decision: Do you want to perform all of the plumbing yourself, or would you rather a professional do it? Cost is a very big factor and should not be overlooked.

Are you in need of plumbing service? Whether you are building a home from scratch or looking for a repair service to fix your current piping system, a professional (such as Heritage!) can help by recommending the best material for the job. This can help you not only to save money, but also to make sure that you are getting the most out of your budget.

You can even check out our website and schedule a service online without having to leave your home or call out a plumber for a quote! We would be more than happy to schedule an appointment and provide you with professional recommendations for your situation.

Heritage Hospital

Gas Furnace Breakdowns

Throughout the winter period, many people will rely on a gas furnace to heat their home. It is no secret that energy is not cheap; however, there are steps that people can take to ensure that their heaters do not suffer from breakdowns and cost more money than necessary. Many of these steps will also increase the overall functionality of the heater and make them more cost efficient and effective to run.

Dust and dirt

There are many causes of problems with gas heaters. Parts that do not work properly are one of the most common issues. Inside a gas furnace there is an air filter, gas burner, thermostat, draft fan and circulation fan. When cold air is taken into the furnace, it is filtered and heated by the gas burner. It is then circulated through the rooms of a house using a blower motor. If these parts are not working properly, you could have issues heating your home. For example, if the gas burner will not heat the air up enough, there could be a problem with the thermostat, or it could be due to an excessive dust build-up within the air filter. Sometimes all that is required is a simple cleaning in order to get these parts working properly again.

Pilot light problems

Another common problem that people face is pilot light ignition issues. If the pilot light is difficult to ignite, or if it frequently goes out and needs to be re-lit, there could be a problem with the draft fan; otherwise, the most common solution is to clean the opening.

Gas leakages

A gas leakage can be very hazardous. Although gas furnaces are designed to switch off if there is a gas leak, they can still go undetected by the system. There is a simple way to figure out whether or not you have a gas leak, and this is to apply a soapy water solution to the gas valves. If it bubbles, there is almost certainly a leak. In the event of smelling gas, it is important to turn off the gas and contact the fire department and gas supplier.

There can be a number of different reasons for a gas heating system to suffer from breakdowns. If anything needs a repair then it is always important to contact a professional to solve the problem. It is recommended that you service your heat system at least once a year to ensure that everything is operating safely. In the event of a broken gas heater, you may need a new furnace. The price to pay for a new gas furnace will not only be worthwhile for your health, but also for long-term cost efficiency.

Call The Doctor

If you are having any issues with your gas heater, or if you suspect that there could be a problem, you should always call a professional and schedule service to solve your heating problems. Dealing with a gas furnace can be very dangerous, so let the professionals handle it – after all, that’s why we’re here!