Heating
Furnace or heat pump for a Michigan winter?
Both keep a home warm. The right choice depends on your house, your fuel and how cold it gets where you live.
Read moreHome comfort tips and answers
Plain answers for homeowners up north. Real advice on heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and generators, written for our winters, our wells and our rural way of life.
Heating
Heating
Repair or replace? When an old furnace is done
A furnace repair is sometimes worth it and sometimes throwing good money after bad. Here is how we think about it.
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Heating
Why your furnace keeps shutting off
A furnace that starts and stops over and over is called short cycling. It wears out parts and leaves your home cold. Here is what causes it.
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Heating
Mini-splits for cabins, additions and cold rooms
A ductless mini-split adds heat and cooling to spaces your main system cannot reach. They are quiet, efficient and a great fit for our area.
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Heating
Boiler and in-floor heat for a home up north
Radiant floor heat warms a home from the ground up. It is quiet, even and comfortable. Here is how it works and where it fits.
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Heating
Getting more from a smart thermostat in winter
The right thermostat saves money and keeps your home comfortable. A few simple settings make a real difference in a long heating season.
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Heating
Dry winter air and what a humidifier does
When the furnace runs all winter the air in your home gets dry. Dry air is hard on your comfort and your home. A whole-home humidifier helps.
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Heating
Why some rooms never get warm
If one room is always cold and another is always hot, your ductwork may be the reason. Good ducts make any system work better.
Read moreHeating
Why a fall furnace tune-up matters here
In northern Michigan the heating season is long and the cold is real. A fall tune-up makes sure your furnace is ready before you need it.
Read moreCooling
Cooling
Getting your air conditioner ready for summer
A little spring prep keeps your air conditioner running cool and cuts the chance of a breakdown on the first hot day.
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Cooling
Sizing central air for an up-north summer
Our summers are short but they can get hot and humid. The right size air conditioner keeps you comfortable without wasting energy.
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Cooling
Ceiling fans and beating the summer heat
A fan makes a room feel cooler so your AC works less. Here is how to get the most from one.
Read morePlumbing
Plumbing
How to keep your pipes from freezing up north
A frozen pipe can turn into a flooded basement. A few simple steps before the cold snap go a long way.
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Plumbing
Five signs your water heater is about to quit
A water heater rarely fails at a good time. Catch the warning signs early and you can replace it on your terms.
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Plumbing
Tankless or tank water heater: which fits?
Both give you hot water. They just do it in different ways. Here is how to pick the right one for your home and your habits.
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Plumbing
Well tank and pump problems to watch for
Most homes up here run on a well. When the well tank or pump starts to fail you notice it fast. Here are the signs.
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Plumbing
Hard water up north and how to fix it
A lot of well water in our area is hard. Hard water leaves spots, builds scale and wears on your fixtures and appliances. A softener helps.
Read morePlumbing
Keeping the basement dry through the spring thaw
When the snow melts and the spring rain comes, groundwater rises. A working sump pump keeps that water out of your basement.
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Plumbing
What to do when a pipe freezes
A frozen pipe is stressful, but quick, calm steps can save you from a flood. Here is what to do and what to avoid.
Read morePlumbing
Garbage disposal do's and don'ts
Feed it the right things and it lasts for years. Here is what to keep out and what to do if it jams.
Read morePlumbing
Is whole-home water filtration worth it?
Cleaner water at every tap depends on what is in your well. Here is how we approach it.
Read moreElectrical
Electrical
Signs your electrical panel needs an upgrade
An old or undersized panel can struggle with a modern home. Worse, it can be a safety risk. Here are the signs it is time for an upgrade.
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Electrical
Flickering lights and tripping breakers
Lights that flicker and breakers that trip are your home telling you something. Some causes are minor. Some are not. Here is what they can mean.
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Electrical
Adding a home EV charger in a rural area
More folks up here are driving electric. Charging at home overnight is the easy way to do it. Here is what a home charger needs.
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Electrical
Outdoor lighting for a rural property
Out in the country it gets truly dark at night. Good outdoor lighting adds safety, security and a welcome glow to your place.
Read moreElectrical
Whole-home surge protection: worth it up north?
Storms and grid blips are hard on electronics. A panel-mounted protector is cheap insurance.
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Electrical
GFCI and AFCI outlets, and where you need them
One guards against shock, the other against fire. Here is where code wants each.
Read moreGenerators
Generators
What size generator does your home need?
A standby generator should run the things that matter without costing a fortune. Sizing it right is the key. Here is how we think about it.
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Generators
Why a standby generator matters in an ice storm
When an ice storm or a hard thunderstorm takes the power down, a standby generator keeps your family safe and warm. Up here, that is real peace of mind.
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Generators
Portable or standby generator for your home?
Both can keep the lights on. They work in very different ways. Here is how to choose the one that fits your home and your comfort with risk.
Read moreSeasonal
Seasonal
A four-season home checklist for up north
Northern Michigan gives us four real seasons. Each one asks something of your home. Here is a simple checklist to stay ahead of trouble.
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Seasonal
Getting your home ready before the power goes out
Outages come with both winter ice and summer storms up here. A little planning keeps your family safe and comfortable when the lines go down.
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Seasonal
Buying a home up north? Check these systems first
A home in our area may run on a well, heat with propane and sit far from the nearest crew. Before you buy, look closely at the systems that keep it livable.
Read moreHave a question you do not see here? We are glad to help. Call (231) 266-5780 and talk to our family. We listen first, then help you find the right fix.
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