If you think about it, your heating and cooling system , your car and your body all have something in common. They all require episodic maintenance checkups.

Your car will need its tires, engine, brakes and other important parts checked periodically. The same relatively can be said for your body, as annual physicals are scheduled to make sure everything is functioning properly. Your HVAC system deserves the same treatment and the same care, particularly now that the spring and summer months are rapidly approaching.

Our Charlotte NC HVAC experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offer the Comfort Club, a maintenance service plan that provides regular system checks for your heating and air conditioning system.  This biannual checkup is designed to meet or exceed all manufacturer and extended warranty requirements for system maintenance.

All Comfort Club members will receive one AC maintenance service during the warmer months and one furnace maintenance service during the cooler months. Each service includes a precision tune-up, a professional cleaning and rejuvenation of your system, in addition to one safety check. These services will give your HVAC system a longer life span and save you money on your utility bill.

Without regular maintenance, your HVAC system runs the risk of suffering major damage, and that could mean a large repair bill down the road. Our service guarantees a major reduction in system breakdown to where if your furnace or air conditioner needs repair, your next six months of Comfort Club membership is free.

Take advantage of the risk-free Comfort Club membership. For more information, contact our Charlotte heating and cooling company, or visit us online.

For many people, bathroom remodeling is fun to discuss, especially when it is an anticipated springtime project. It’s also difficult to get a plan into motion. Today’s homeowner, particularly if he or she lives in an older home, wants a bathroom that has more of a state-of-the-art appeal to it.

The hard part, however, is actually putting the plan into fruition. A newly remodeled bathroom isn’t cheap, for starters, and the bathroom requires someone who has a mind for great ideas. Saying you want a bathroom makeover is one thing; having the necessary ideas is another.

Some renovations, for those who aren’t the bathroom brainstorming types, include a brand-new walk-in shower, a whirlpool bath, a low-flow shower head or even a new toilet. Others look for bathroom faucets and sinks that have futuristic appeal to it. Then, there are others who simply want a change in the bathroom flooring, lighting or walls. You can start the remodeling process by jotting down some of the things you don’t like about how your bathroom currently looks and take it from there.

Our Charlotte NC plumbers are more than happy to assist you with designing a new bathroom for your home. If your thought processing is stuck in neutral, we can offer excellent suggestions that will give your bathroom an instant upgrade. If you have your ideas ready, let our plumbers handle all installation and maintenance services at affordable rates.

Call our Charlotte plumbing company, or visit us online for more information on bathroom remodeling.

Choosing the right water heater for your home is just as important as any other major decision that will affect the comfort level and overall atmosphere of your property inside and out. While there are homeowners who stick with the reliable option of a conventional water heater, quite a few homeowners are making the change to tankless water heater systems.

Tankless water heaters are considered a durable alternative to conventional water heaters, especially for larger families. Tankless heaters are more energy efficient in that they use less energy compared to conventional heaters. Tankless heaters heat water on demand and provide unlimited hot water instantly. Conventional heaters keep hot water in reserve, which takes extra energy.

Tankless water heaters come in electric, gas or propane devices. Most tankless heaters are relatively small in size – about the size of a garment bag – which is completely different from the larger, bulkier conventional heaters that take up space. Because there is no tank, the places a tankless heater can be mounted are vast.

Because there are no tanks that store water, tankless water heater owners have no risks of water damage via leaks or holes in a tank. Tankless heaters, according to experts, also have longer life spans than conventional heater.

Let our Charlotte NC water heater specialists give you more information on tankless water heaters. Call our Charlotte HVAC company today, or visit us online.

February, with Valentine’s Day, is the month of love and appreciation. Our Charlotte NC plumbers want to show our appreciation with its latest promotion.

Our plumbing company specializes in tankless water heater service, installation and repair. From now until the end of February, we are offering one of three free options with the purchase of a tankless water heater. Buy a heater and receive either an H2O Harmony Entire house water filtration, The Stealth toilet or a lifetime warranty on the purchased water heater.

The Stealth, offered exclusively by Benjamin Franklin, is the premier choice in flush and water conservation, saving you up to 20 gallons of water each year.

Don’t let this plumbing promotion pass you by. Give our Charlotte plumbing company a call today, or visit us online for more information on this February-only offer.

Looking for a way to stay warmer and also keep the heating bill down? The answer may be lingering in the department of the all-in-one store that some of you rarely frequent.

Make a detour to your local home furnishing department and find the curtains section. Particularly if you live in a region where the climate is colder, it’s a good idea to invest in thermal curtains for your home. Thermal curtains, also known as insulated curtains, are a cost-effective alternative to your heating issues, and they are relatively inexpensive to purchase.

Windows are among the biggest sources when it comes to heat loss in a home, as glass is considered a poor insulator. Thermal curtains, however, resolve this problem by using thermodynamics to keep heat locked in during the winter months. During the summer months, the curtains serve as a reflector, keeping the intense heat outside and keeping your home cool and comfortable.

Conventional curtains will keep sunlight out, but they provide minimal insulation from chilly temperatures during the winter. Thermal curtains can provide up to five times the insulation as the average curtain, keeping more heat in your home and assisting in your heater staying away from working overtime.

Insulation is extremely important when it comes to the winter, and you’ll need a reliable HVAC service to combat the cold weather. Thermal curtains will be a solid tag-team partner with your HVAC to keep your home in good standing. Feel free to call our Charlotte NC HVAC specialists for more information, or visit us online today.

Everyone’s heard the adage about the certainty of “death and taxes,” but there are two other inevitable factors for Charlotte NC plumbing customers to consider when repairing or remodeling a bathroom: accidents and aging. The National Safety Council reports that almost 200,000 people are injured annually in their bathroom. In addition, the number of senior citizens and disabled Charlotte residents continues to increase. Your local plumbers are ready to help.

To aid those with special needs (now or in the future) and reduce accidents, Ben Franklin plumbers install bathroom fixtures that are attractive, practical and safe for Charlotte families and businesses. For residential baths, our plumbers recommend design ideas and the latest safety features. We aim to meet the needs of families throughout their life cycles, including considerations such as infants, visually impaired adults, people with physical size requirements, and seniors with difficulty walking.

For homes and offices, installations can be created to meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Whether your goal is to provide accessibility to all, or a “universal design” to meet as many special needs as possible without specialized design, North Carolina plumbing professionals work hard to find the best solution for you.

Some key universal design considerations include adequate knee and toe clearances under fixtures, faucets and handles located in a reachable range, and easy operation of movable parts. Grab bars should be placed intelligently, and tested for load-bearing ability. Toilets are available in a variety of styles and heights, with 14 to 15 inches from the floor (floor to top of rim) being standard. Products billed as being more comfortable are 16 to 17 inches high, similar to a chair. Shorter types may be installed in schools or day care centers to serve Charlotte, NC children.

Homeowners without special needs still want to avoid accidents in the bath area. The most common accidents are slips, falls and scalding from hot water. Plumbers may address your bathroom safety concerns with tips like these from the National Kitchen and Bath Association:

• Avoid steps leading into tub or shower areas. Slip-resistant flooring also helps eliminate falls and reduce the risk of falls.
• Consider installing a platform around the tub where you can sit down before entering or after exiting.
• Choose shatterproof glass in shower enclosures, and install hinged doors to open out into the room rather than into the shower.
• Prevent scalding by installing pressure-balanced, temperature-controlled valves in every bath or shower in your Charlotte NC home. Faucets should be easily reached from outside the enclosure.
• Keep water sources and electrical switches a safe distance apart. Use circuit interrupters on electrical plugs to shut them off when a hazard is detected.

To stay safe, and improve the look and value, of your bathroom, contact your local Charlotte NC plumber. Set up a consultation to start planning your beautiful, safe bathroom today.

People seem to hear about how important it is to keep clean filters in your furnaces. The real question is this: Are they really listening?

Truth is, there are a lot of homeowners who let information such as this go in one ear and out the other. The relevance of having a clean air filter affects not only how an HVAC system runs but also the environment around the home.

Dirty filters can collect allergens and have families fighting sneezing, coughing, eye irritation and other respiratory issues. Filters are designed to accumulate dust, pollen, mold and other allergens, but they are not designed to over-collect.

Dirty air filters, in addition, can cause HVACs to work harder, which means more heat during the winter or cool air during the summer is being used. This basically means higher utility bills for you. In addition, dirty filters can lead to air pollution. The more electricity consumed, the more gases released in the air that can be environmentally damaging.

Make sure your air filters are changed regularly to keep your home air clean and your HVAC system running smoothly.  Some experts believe filters should be changed monthly, while others say anywhere from 6-9 weeks. Our Charlotte NC HVAC technicians are willing to offer their advertise for all questions and concerns about filters.

Call our Charlotte heating and cooling company today, or contact us online for information.

“Muddy water” coming from your faucet is probably the last thing you want to see when you’re thirsty. It probably isn’t something you want to see when you’re ready to take a shower, as well.

The colored water – whether it is brown, red or a combination of both – is rust, and the color actually stems from tap water mixing with various chemical oxidations of rust. Water discoloration can be a common issue in the average home, but it is not harmful to the body.

If discoloration is caused by rusty pipes, a pipe replacement may be in order. This, however, may be a last resort, as the problem may be resolved with some basic do-it-yourself tips. First, turn off the faucet distributing the muddy water. Then, go to your main faucet, and run water in a clear container to where you can examine the water.

If your water in the container is clear, you may be looking at an issue with your pipes. If your water in the container is muddy, this could be a problem for your local water department. This may be an inconvenience while they shut off the water valves in the neighborhood, but it also may be good for your finances, as you won’t have to pay for an outrageous plumbing bill.

Before jumping to conclusions about water discoloration, check with your neighbors first. If they’re having similar issues, this may be an assignment for the water department. If the problem is isolated, our Charlotte NC plumbers are available to help you with all of your plumbing needs. Call our Charlotte plumbing company today, or call us online for details.

Starting to notice a spike in your heating bill? You’re not alone, but with the chillier temperatures, that increase is expected around this time.

One of your new year’s resolutions may have been to save more money in 2011. Although the thermostat is running a little higher and longer than average, there are ways to keep your home warm – and your wallets full – with simple adjustments here and there. Check out the following tips from our expert Charlotte NC heating technicians that will help you save money.

• Change up your curtains: The curtains that “look nice” in your home may need to be replaced by the curtains that “provide comfort.” Thermal curtains, which give added insulation to a room, are made to not only warm up your home but also combat your heating bill. These curtains can fight off the cold temperatures now and give much-needed shade during the months with the hotter temperatures.
• Set your thermostat: Just because the temperatures are cooler doesn’t mean your thermostat has to reach a certain degree. A two- or three-degree difference, believe it or not, can make a major difference in what your heating bill is and what it could be. Instead of 75 degrees, drop it to 70 or 72. If you have it at 70, try setting the thermostat to 67 or 68 and put on a sweater or sweatshirt to combat the cool. Remember, you want to be comfortable, and this can be an economical answer for you.
• Do routine check-ups: Heating maintenance is so underrated that it often goes unnoticed – and untouched – in a home. In the winter months, make sure your furnace is in great shape and your furnace filters are fresh. Be on the lookout for leaks, as they can cause havoc (mold, foundation issues, etc.) all around your home. Keep your radiator and hot water heater in top shape. Little things like this will help in the long run.

Take advantage of these tips, and live life the way you planned when you first made the resolution. Let our Charlotte HVAC company help you in achieving your financial goals when it comes to your heating system and maintenance. Call us today, or contact us online for tips and information.

Let’s be honest with ourselves: Plumbing appliances and fixtures will wear down around the house.

Plumbing repairs can make a homeowner moan and groan, but regular maintenance will keep your fixtures and pipes in excellent standing, which in turn can help in keeping the resale value of your home above market price. Your home is an investment and should be treated as such, and all investments deserve proper maintenance.

It’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your home for potentially hazardous problems before they become major, high-dollar repairs. There are several common problems that every home, old or new, seems to have. Be on the lookout for the following mishaps:

Clogs: A clogged toilet can be fixed with a plunger or a plumber’s snake. A clogged drain can be fixed with liquid drain cleaner (Drano, for example). If these don’t work, there could be something severe that will need the service of a licensed plumber.

Gas leaks: These can be extremely dangerous. If you smell gas, leave the facility immediately, and then call an emergency plumber. Gas leaks, in addition to being harmful, also can be detrimental to your neighbors and your surroundings.

Bad pipes: If a pipe cracks or bursts, make sure you find the main water valve and shut your water off. The last thing you want is to have a broken pipe and water flooding.

Frozen pipes: This may be a two-month or three-month ordeal, depending on the climate, but winter temperatures can make life miserable if a pipe bursts because of freezing. To avoid frozen pipes, let your faucets drip a small stream of water to maintain the flow.

Make sure you and your family members are ready for these common plumbing mishaps. You never know when they can happen, but it’s always good to be prepared for them. Feel free to contact our expert Charlotte NC plumbers for additional information. Call us today, or contact us online.