In humid environments, mold and mildew can become a problem in a home or office. Black mold may be the most dangerous of all mold problems.

Black mold can cause major health risks for individuals who have breathing or immune-deficiency complications. It is a very dark substance (often a black, gray or greenish-black color) that can be found in the ducts, underneath the carpets or around the ceiling of your home or office. It is a toxic mold that should not be taken lightly upon detection.

Black mold is formed in moist areas and often comes in small patches of dark speckles. With carpet and insulation issues, it’s best to have the material removed immediately to avoid health risks. Internal black mold issues (air ducts, for example) are more difficult to not only detect but also manage and treat. All black mold issues should be handled by a professional HVAC technician.

Signs of black mold include increased allergic and respiratory reactions (sneezing, coughing, etc.), unexplained rashes and headaches. If you don’t have black mold and want to prevent it from becoming a burden in your home or office, installing a dehumidifier will assist in reducing moisture level in your surroundings.

Our experienced Charlotte NC heating and cooling technicians are experts in black mold prevention and maintenance. Call our Charlotte HVAC company for more information, or feel free to contact us online.

New homeowners should know and understand that leaks of any kind can be a hassle. Slab leaks, if left untreated, can make a new homeowner want to consider returning to living in rental properties. They’re that much of a headache.

A slab leak, by definition, is a leak that occurs beneath a water line. A slab leak can cause issues where a home can lose gallons of water, and a homeowner can spend thousands of dollars if left untreated. Slab leaks can sneak up on new homeowners, as many don’t know how to detect them.

Fortunately, there are symptoms for budding slab leak problems. Our expert plumbers in Charlotte NC want you to be prepared and, most importantly, want you to be leak-free. Check out the following indications to look for with a possible slab leak.

• Wetness and warmness: If you’re noticing damp spots on your floor, this may be an early detection of a slab leak. These damp spots also may be accompanied with warm spots.
• Keep an eye on the bill: You know how much you normally pay for the water bill. That number rarely escalates significantly. If you start to notice a higher bill, you may have a slab leak.
• Running water (or so it seems): When you think you left water running somewhere, but all of your faucets are off, chances are, you may have a slab leak issue. The sounds of constantly running faucets or toilets can be a sure-fire symptoms of a slab leak.

Let our Charlotte plumbing company serve you, as our technicians are experts in slab leak detection and repair, in addition to other plumbing services. Call us today for more information, or contact us online.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that it’s cold outside. As January continues, we could see even colder temperatures.

Most families use a furnace or a boiler to heat their homes. While these are the most common heating devices, there are several alternatives that can be just as effective – and, in some cases, more energy efficient.

Heat pumps are among the most popular energy-efficient devices. They take heat from a cool area and move it to a warm area, basically making all cool locations cooler and warm locations warmer.

Portable heaters, or space heaters, are good for small locations, such as work cubicles, effiency apartments or college dormitory rooms that allow them. Portable heaters are affordable and highly manageable devices.

Radiant heat systems, which rely on radiant heat transfer, supply heat to floors, ceilings and/or wall panels in a home. Radiant heat systems is high in regards to energy efficiency, and they may use several different energy sources, including electricity, gas, solar energy or wood.

These three alternative heating methods can make life easier when the furnace or boiler is out – or unavailable – in your home. Our Charlotte NC heating experts are more than happy to assist you with any further questions. Call our HVAC company today, or contact us online.

While hard water generally is not harmful to your health, it can be harmful to your plumbing system. The high mineral content (primarily calcium and magnesium) that hard water can possess can affect how water tastes (it’s supposed to be tasteless), how many spots end up on dishes and how less colorful your clothes can look after going through the wash cycle.

If you find white spots on your silverware after washing and drying, or if you find stains on your glass plates or cups, chances are it’s because of hard water. If these things occur and you can’t get a solid lather from your bath soap when showering, it’s almost a given that you have hard water. Again, it’s not harmful to your health, but the mineral content could cause breakdowns in your pipes, boilers, water heaters or anything else that water comes to and from.

Perhaps the best way to eliminating hard water is to invest in a water softener, which will reduce the minerals that can make water hard. A water softener replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium and potassium by way of a resin. There are several types of water softeners – some include an offsite, a manual, an automatic and a semi-automatic – and they can range in price from $500 to $2,000, depending on your personal selection.

Maintenance on water softeners is basic, as most water softeners last for many years. Water-efficient models also are available for purchase as a means to conserve money.

If you think you have hard water, now may be a good time to contact our expert Charlotte plumbers. We can provide all information needed on the perfect water softener for your home or office. Call us today, or contact us online for more information.

We’re hours away – literally – from the start of a new year. Kick off 2011 the right way with some remodeling around the home.

When it comes to bathroom remodeling, a new sink can really add a sense of elegance to the location. There are various options to choose from, including wall-mounted sinks or even pedestal sinks. They can come in all shapes and sizes, but make sure you have enough room in your bathroom to fulfill the plans for your dream sink.

Most sinks come in either porcelain or marble. Metal surfaces also are reliable options. Make your decision based on how often a sink will get used, in addition to who plans on using the sink. A household with small children may want to invest in something that has durability, such as white porcelain. Metal sinks (brass, steel, copper, etc.) will require more management.

Keep in mind that the more glamorous you want your sink, the more it may cost to purchase and install. Once you make your decision, allow our expert plumbers in Charlotte NC to assist you with your faucet and sink needs. Call our plumbing company today, or contact us online for more details.

We’re days away from the end of 2010. Better yet, we’re days away from the beginning of 2011. A new year means a fresh start, and a fresh start could equate to your HVAC system.

Energy conservation and efficiency is the talk of the town, so don’t be surprised if someone brings your heating and air conditioning system into an energy efficiency conversation. “Going green” has become something of a necessity, particularly for commercial properties. HVAC contractors are asked more and more to become certified through the Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design – or LEED – program that focuses primarily on environmentally safe products.

LEED, according to the U.S. Green Building Council website, offers “third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”

As we venture into 2011, it may not be a bad idea to shift more and more toward environmentally safe tactics, and this definitely can be beneficial for your current heating and air conditioning system. Let our expert HVAC contractors assist you in your trek to a more environmentally conscious atmosphere. Call our Charlotte NC heating and air conditioning specialists today, or contact us online for more information.

We’re days away from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Whichever festive holiday you celebrate, our plumbing company wishes you nothing but peace and joy.

In addition to the festivities, we’re also days away from the expiration of the tax credit consumers can earn for purchasing energy-efficient appliances. The tax credit covers everything from energy-efficient HVAC systems to energy-efficient windows and doors – as well as energy-efficient water heaters.

If you ever were considering trading in that clunky traditional water heater for a more compact tankless water heater, now is the time to do so. Tankless water heaters are becoming the option for more and more consumers not only because they take up less space but also because they provide an unlimited supply of hot water throughout your home.

Keep in mind that to be eligible for the tax credit, you must purchase a gas tankless water heater. Electric tankless water heaters are not eligible for the credit. Feel free to check the Energy Star website for more details.

The credit can help you significantly, as it will cover 30 percent of the cost of improvements. Taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,500 for all improvements that qualify under the credit stipulations. If you’re going to take advantage, you must purchase before Dec. 31.

Feel free to call our expert Charlotte plumbers today, or contact us online for more information on the tax credit or tankless water heater installation and service.

The end of December brings us a new year. However, the end of December also brings us closer to the deadline for claiming this years Energy Star tax credit. So now is the time to act on installing a new energy efficient furnace. Our Charlotte heating & air contractor will install your new energy efficient furnace or tankless water heater.

With every tax credit, there is a process. You must obtain a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement which can be found on the manufacturer’s website. Second, you must file a IRS Form 5695 with your 2010 taxes. Then save your receipts and manufacturer’s certification statement. The process is that simple.

For more information, visit the Energy Star FAQ page.

Some items at that may qualify include:

• Ductless Heat pump
• Conventional Gas Water Heater
• Tankless Water Heater

A Ductless heat pump is a high efficiency zone heating solution. Heat pumps are perfect for living rooms or that cold addition. Durable and energy efficient; your ductless heat pump will prove a fine choice.

A tankless water heater is an on-demand water heating solution. On top of your $1,500 maximum rebate, your energy savings will continue for years. Tankless water heaters are long-lived appliances and will pay you in the long-run.

The time to purchase a new furnace or water heater has never been better. Contact us online or call your Charlotte Heating & Air company at: (704) 323-8004

Aside from a nicer space and greater creature comforts, a kitchen remodel carries with it a number of advantages, not the least of which is the fact that the cost will usually more than repay for itself when calculated into the home’s resale value. Still, the up-front cost can be daunting, and determining what fixtures to replace can be a difficult decision. Setting up your budget in advance is the most important qualifier in planning your kitchen remodel.

Pick Your Battles

Know that kitchen remodels are quite an undertaking, and you may be looking at living without a kitchen for days, weeks, or even months, depending on how extensively you intend to remodel the room. It might be to your benefit to work in stages, so that you have a majority of the appliances and fixtures working at any given time. For example, don’t remove the cooktop, microwave, and oven all at once. Also, if there are appliances that are new and still mesh with the new design, you may want to save the expense of replacement.

Shop for a Contractor

Get estimates from different contractors. You most likely won’t use the same contractor for every portion of the job. For example, you may use one for installing countertops and cupboards while hiring a Charlotte plumbing contractor to install your sink, faucet, refrigerator, and other appliances. Check references, and compare prices. Make sure you choose a trustworthy company that you feel comfortable having in your home for an extended period and don’t settle for ‘cheap’ just to save cash. After all, you stand to lose just as much as you gain if the job isn’t done right.

Make the Right Purchases

Everyone yearns for the top-of-the-line equipment, but you can save a tremendous amount and still have the right look and feel to your kitchen remodel without buying the biggest and best. You can work with your plumbing contractor to determine the best fixtures and appliances for the job in question if you don’t feel comfortable choosing the items on your own.

Payment Scheduling

Paying for the entire remodel up front is one way to lose serious money. Make sure the payment schedule is clear from the start, and know what each contractor expects as a down payment. Typically, it is around 25 percent of the overall expected cost. With Charlotte plumbing contractors, this could vary, depending on the amount of work to be done.

Planning ahead can save you time, hassle, and money when it comes to kitchen remodels. Before you take the plunge, be sure you know what you are getting into and have an idea of what needs to be accomplished. You’ll find that the whole process is completed more smoothly.

Winter is upon us, and as the Charlotte weather cools down, you’ve discovered through a most unpleasant experience in a cold shower that your water heater is no longer up to par with the demands of your household. It’s time to replace the old hot water heater tank with a newer, more efficient, functional model, but you aren’t sure how to determine the best unit for the job. The real problem is that there is no single answer, as various applications and needs require a different size, type, and method of water heating capabilities. Here are some factors to consider when contacting your Charlotte plumbing contractor about purchasing and installing a new water heater.