Best Heating/Cooling Options for a Finished Basement

September 20, 2020

Nearly half of all American homes are outfitted with basements. Many of these basements are left unfinished and are typically used as storage areas. If you have a finished basement, that’s something to be proud of. However, it’s common for homeowners to face heating and cooling issues in basement living spaces. Here are a few heating, cooling and ventilation options for finished basements you should think about: Look Into Humidity Control Relative humidity is a metric used to measure humidity levels in indoor areas. High humidity levels are known to make warmer months less bearable; however, during colder times of the year, higher humidity levels can improve comfort even without directly raising the temperature. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are solid options for improving the comfort that your finished basement provides. These devices don’t require any remodeling or construction projects — simply carry them inside, plug them in and let them run. Consider Adding Windows to Your Basement Most basements are at least partially above ground level. Although it’s not feasible to have full-sized windows like those throughout the rest of your home, in your basement, small windows can still improve your comfort levels while you’re spending time in the space. Don’t...

View Article

Continue Reading

Everything You Should Know About Wine Cellars

August 11, 2020

If you’re going to invest in a wine cellar, it’s important to do some research before starting the project. Wine is temperamental by nature, so you need to create an ideal location to store it for the long-term. Here are the things you need to know about wine cellars. They Need a Consistent Temperature It’s vital that your wine cellar maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year. All wines should optimally be stored between 53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. If the wine cellar’s temperature exceeds this, it accelerates the aging process. This makes it hard to know when a wine has reached its peak, especially if the wine cellar has varying temperatures. Steady Humidity Level The humidity level in your wine cellar should be between 50% and 70%. Humidity affects the health of the corks. If a cork is too moist, it can become contaminated. One that is too dry can shrink or fall apart. Different Wine Cellars Call for Different Cooling Equipment There is no one cooling unit that is best for all wine cellars. Every wine cellar has unique conditions that determine what cooling equipment you should have. A wine cellar in a basement has different needs than...

View Article

Continue Reading

The Pro and Cons of Air Purifiers

July 15, 2020

Cleaning the air in your home is very important for your health. Air purifiers are a great way to do so. Let us take a closer look at the pros and cons of air purifiers. Pros Air purifiers are simply great at purifying your air. Within an hour of turning on the appliance, your air will be much cleaner than before. Any dirt or dust particles will be eliminated from the air and captured in the purifier. For individuals with asthma or preexisting health conditions, this device is a lifesaver. Cons However, there are some cons to having air purifiers, too. Some models are a little noisy. If you are trying to focus while at your desk, the constant humming of the air purifier might be a little distracting. Also, some air purifiers need their reservoir to be emptied on a regular basis. It is not too bad if the appliance can run on its own for multiple weeks, but changing the filter every couple of days can become tedious. Weighing These Factors How do these factors stack up to one another? In general, it is in your best interest to invest in an air purifier. Their health benefits are...

View Article

Continue Reading

The Best Way to Cool Older Homes

June 16, 2020

Many older homes weren’t built with a central duct system that can be used by an air conditioner to provide house-wide cooling. If your home doesn’t have a central HVAC system, you have many other options for keeping the interior of your home comfortable and safe. 1. Use Passive Cooling Techniques Keeping your home from heating up each day is important. Direct rays of the sun will heat air up quickly, and they should be kept out of your home whenever possible. Having quality shades and blinds is a great way of preventing the sun’s energy from getting into your home. Planting trees around your windows can also block the sun’s rays. Awnings are highly effective at blocking sun from getting in through windows. 2. Install a Fan Turning a fan on can keep the air in your home circulating and provide a nice breeze. Both ceiling fans and individual room fans are effective ways to keep warm air mixing with the cool. 3. Get a Ductless Mini-Split System If you need to cool your home even more, a ductless mini-split system could be the right solution for your needs. These energy-efficient units mount directly to the upper walls of...

View Article

Continue Reading

How Do I Know When To Replace My Thermostat?

May 13, 2020

Over time, dust accumulates inside of a thermostat, and the wires age. Just as with other electronic devices, your thermostat won’t last forever. How do you know when it needs to be replaced? The average thermostat lasts 10 years before becoming faulty. Here are some other indicators your thermostat may need to be replaced. Your Heating or Cooling System Doesn’t Turn On Many people assume there’s something wrong with the heating or cooling system when it doesn’t turn on, but sometimes, it’s a problem with the thermostat. If changing the batteries doesn’t work, we recommend replacing the thermostat. has high-quality programmable thermostats available for residents in Marietta, GA, and surrounding areas. We also provide AC and heating repair services to diagnose and fix your system. You Don’t Hear the Clicking Sound Anymore After Adjusting the Thermostat When you adjust your thermostat to turn it on or off, you should hear a clicking sound shortly after. If the thermostat no longer responds to your adjustments, it probably no longer makes a clicking sound either. Let your repair company know what’s going on with your thermostat since it may need to be replaced. The Thermostat Frequently Loses Programmed Settings If a programmable...

View Article

Continue Reading

Why is Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance Necessary?

April 21, 2020

An air conditioner needs to be regularly maintained so that it functions properly and lasts as long as possible. Having your AC unit maintained annually by a technician will also save you a lot of money by helping it to operate efficiently. The following are the most important parts a technician will service. Filters Dirty filters become clogged and block your air conditioner’s normal airflow. This results in a system that has to work harder while also operating less efficiently. Dirt will also end up collecting faster on the evaporator coil. This impairs the ability of the coil to collect heat. An air conditioner can have a replaceable or reusable filter. When the AC unit is in use, the filter should be cleaned or replaced every month or two. If you have pets or live in dusty conditions, it will likely need to be replaced or cleaned more regularly. Innovative Mechanical, LLC in Marietta GA, makes it a point to replace filters during our annual maintenance visits. We want to make sure that your system is efficient and lasts as long as possible. Evaporator Coils While a clean filter helps to keep dirt from collecting as fast on the evaporator...

View Article

Continue Reading

Is it Beneficial to Have an Air Purifier System in my Home?

April 16, 2020

Air purifiers are a great tool for the home. They work well at keeping the air you breathe clean and fresh. They are also fast and easy to install for an experienced HVAC company. If you’re considering one for your Marietta home, keep reading to learn some of the benefits of doing so. 1. Allergens Allergies are a pervasive health problem that can be debilitating to many, especially in the springtime. It’s nearly impossible to keep allergens out of the home; however, with an air purifier, you can remove dust, pollen, and other microscopic particles that exacerbate allergies. 2. Pets If you’ve got pets, then you’ve got a year-round source of allergens and pollutants in your home. Dander is notorious for causing allergic reactions. Fortunately, an air purifier can get rid of animal dander and other contaminants that cling to your animal’s fur and prevent it from building up in your lungs. 3. Asthma Contaminants and pollutants are an asthma sufferer’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, there is no way to keep them out of the home. Each time you open a door or window, turn on the air, or walk on your carpet or rugs, microscopic particles flood the air inside...

View Article

Continue Reading

How Does Cooking Pollute Your Indoor Air Quality?

March 11, 2020

When people think about indoor pollution, they often picture things like mold growth or dust buildup. However, the reality is that simple everyday activities like cooking can also contribute to pollution inside the home. Here are a few ways that your cooking may be causing problems for your indoor air: Toxic Byproducts From Ovens and Stoves If your stove is wood burning, natural gas, or propane powered, then it is particularly likely to cause indoor air pollution. The problem with these types of stoves is that they create heat by burning. As fuels combust, they release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other potential indoor air pollutants. If your oven and stove are properly vented, this should not be too much of an issue. However, it is possible for your ventilation to leak and cause problems. Pollutants From Cooking With Oil and Fat Even if you are not regularly burning your meals, you are probably still releasing a lot of smoke and oil particles into the air. As you cook, moisture in meats, vegetables, and broths turns to steam, pulling a fine mist of oil into the air. Commonly used cooking oils like olive oil have a very low “smoke point,” which...

View Article

Continue Reading

How Long Should a Furnace Last?

February 13, 2020

If you live in the Atlanta area and have noticed that your furnace isn’t running as well as it used to a few years ago, you might be wondering how long a heating system should last before it needs to get replaced. Many factors can impact the lifespan of an HVAC system, but generally, homeowners can expect their furnace to last between 15 and 20 years. The following provides a look at the factors affecting your furnace’s lifespan and what you can do to get the most out of your unit. The Age and Condition of Your HVAC System One of the most obvious factors is the age and condition of the unit. Older units, especially those that haven’t been adequately maintained, are more likely to experience issues than new systems with an up-to-date service record. No matter how old or the condition of your existing HVAC system, here are some of the things you can do to ensure your heating unit runs at its best: Schedule Maintenance and Inspections Regular inspections and maintenance keep your heating system working optimally. Tune-ups also help identify small problems early so that you can avoid more significant issues later. Don’t forget to swap...

View Article

Continue Reading

How To Save Money With a Whole-Home Humidifier

January 6, 2020

When many Atlanta-area residents consider their in-home climate, they often focus on temperature. However, the humidity level in your home is arguably just as crucial and has a dramatic effect on your comfort. is a great resource to remedy a dry home and save money in the Atlanta and Marietta areas. Our team combines four decades of experience installing high-quality whole-house humidifiers. A whole-house humidifier is the most effective way to moderate humidity throughout your entire house. Portable humidifiers are useful, too, but they’re only effective in smaller areas of the house. Investing in a whole-house humidifier can save you money in a variety of ways, including some of the following. Saves Your Furnace From Working Overtime Humidity makes the inside of your home feel warmer. By maintaining appropriate humidity levels, you can set the temperature lower and save your furnace from having to work extra hard during the colder months. Not only does this save your furnace from unnecessary wear and tear but you will see lower energy bills. Keeps Your Family Healthier Did you know that humidity kills off the flu virus? That’s why a humidifier can prove especially handy during flu season. Also, maintaining the right humidity...

View Article

Continue Reading