But the good news is that dust mites can be controlled, and the steps you take can go a long way towards improving the comfort of people in your household who are sensitive to dust mites.

What Are They?

Dust mites are tiny members of the spider family. They feed on the skin flakes of humans and pets, and tend to flourish in damp, warm environments. They eat, eliminate waste and reproduce in their short lifespan of two to four months. As they reproduce and die, they can contribute to the weight of our mattresses and pillows — although perhaps not as dramatically as some TV commercials have claimed.

Even if your mattress doesn’t double in weight over a few years because of these critters, they should be controlled as much as possible.

Prevention and Control

• Keep humidity between 40 and 50 percent, which is too dry for these creatures to flourish. If your air conditioner isn’t up to the job, a dehumidifier may be the answer.
• Wash bedding weekly at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Encase pillows and mattresses in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable casings.
• Clean floors and other surfaces with a damp mop or rag, so as not to stir up dust.
• If you have carpet, consider replacing it with linoleum, tile or wood. Carpets tend to harbor these insects.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter and vacuum frequently.
• Add a high quality (MERV or minimum efficiency reporting value of 5 to 8) pleated air filter to your system. A portable HEPA air purifier may also help.

To learn more about controlling dust mites in your home, contact Bradley Mechanical in Richmond today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about getting rid of dust mites and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Here are five ways to detect a water leak:

• Listen for a hissing sound around the pressure relief valve on the water heater. Then, inspect lines and fittings for leaks.
• Remove the cover of the toilet tank and listen for telltale leaks. If you can’t hear anything, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank (not the bowl), and see if any of the colored water leaks into the bowl. If it does, there’s a leak in the flapper. If you have to jiggle the handle to cut the water off, then you may have a worn-out handle, or the flush level bar and chain may need replacing.
• Check the meter line. Start by turning off the water valve in the yard. Make sure no water is running inside the house. Then, check the meter. If it’s still running, then you might have a leak between the meter and the house. Walk around the yard and check to see if you have muddy, spongy areas or grass that’s greener in one place than another.
• Place the tip of a screwdriver against one of your outdoor hose bibs. With your thumb knuckle on top of the screwdriver, move your head to where your knuckle is in front of your ear and listen for leaks. The sound will travel the length of the screwdriver like a stethoscope. Check all your indoor faucets as well. Then, report the results of your search to your plumber. It’ll save him time finding the leak.
• Check for wet, discolored or stained areas on walls, ceilings and floors and under bathroom and kitchen sinks.

Do you need more advice on how to detect a water leak? Call Bradley Mechanical in Central Virginia for more information.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about detecting water leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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When you properly winterize your crawlspace, you can protect pipes from freezing, diminish heating costs and keep a warmer home. Here’s how it’s done.

Winterizing Your Crawlspace

• Before you begin insulating your crawlspace, check for rodent or insect infestations. Then, get rid of any critters living under your house.
• Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks, and fix any with mortar or foam insulation.
• Check to see if rain or melted snow pools next to your house. Rain gutters should run out a few feet from your house.
• Remove any dead vegetation from your foundation to prevent mold and mildew.
• Insulating crawlspace walls with rigid foam cuts down on cold air entering your space. Rigid foam isn’t damaged by moisture, and it also won’t fall out after installation.
• The rim joist should be insulated and sealed with foam.
• If pipes are subjected to freezing temperatures in your crawlspace, wrap them with pipe heating cable. Also, try wrapping them with pre-formed foam pipe insulation. Elbow pipes are particularly prone to freezing, so they may need extra wrapping.
• Install insulation under the floor and above your crawlspace by hanging it from wire hangers, which should be wedged between floor joists so that insulation is next to the floor.
• Cover vents to keep cold air and animals out. Some vents may be closed by means of a lever.
• Make sure your cellar door and crawlspace entrances are tightly closed.

If you have heat ducts in your crawlspace, insulate them as well to prevent heat from escaping your home. For more pointers on how to winterize your crawlspace, contact the experts at Bradley Mechanical. We’ve been serving the Richmond area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about winterizing your home and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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When Is a Boiler Done For?

The determining factor in boiler replacement will probably be the material’s condition. To determine this, you should have the inside of the boiler inspected for rust, which is caused by oxidation between water and the boiler’s inside metal surface. Rust makes the walls thinner and will also affect other sections of the boiler, such as the tubes.

Other signs your boiler may be failing:

• Insufficient heat
• High energy bills
• Frequent repairs
• Hot and cold spots in the home

Problems You May Want to Fix

Leaks are the most obvious sign your boiler needs repair, but some leaks are not apparent. Underground pipes or return lines covered with dirt or cement may leak undetected. Water may also leak from the discharge piping or pop safety valve, indicated by scaling or rust. Be aware that many closed loop systems have insufficient water expansion capacity, putting continuous pressure on the pop safety valve, resulting in failure. Rust on the floor, under discharge piping or around drains means you probably have too much feedwater. Inadequate expansion capacity may be a reason for replacement.

Boilers also have several air valves, any of which can fail and cause water loss. A failed burner may be replaced, but if it’s too old, it probably makes better sense to replace the boiler. Faulty doors, which can leak gases, can sometimes be repaired with high-temperature caulking and ceramic rope gasket, although not if the door is already warped.

Oftentimes, when sections of a boiler are damaged, all sections are affected and need replacement. Since this can get pretty expensive, a boiler replacement might make more sense.

For expert advice on when you need a boiler replacement, call Bradley Mechanical located in Richmond. Our mission is to solve our customers’ HVAC problems with the best service possible.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about boiler replacements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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How Do They Work?

Heat pumps move heat, rather than generating heat from fuel. During cold weather, they move heat from outdoor air into your cooler home. During warm weather, they absorb warmth from inside your home via refrigerant and exhaust it to the outdoors. Air source heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling for your home, although in winter, they are most efficient at temperatures above freezing. At lower temperatures, they may need auxiliary heating to keep a home comfortable.

Energy Efficiency

When installed properly, an air source heat pump can deliver up to three times the heat energy over the amount of electricity used to operate, reducing your home energy costs by as much as 40 percent. Today’s high-efficiency air source heat pumps have advanced features that provide even room temperatures, cleaner, less humid air and quieter operation.

Most high-efficiency central heat pumps are split-systems, one coil inside the house and one coil outdoors, with supply and return ducts that connect to a central fan inside the house. If you don’t have a central HVAC system, ductless mini-split heat pumps are a good option since they don’t require ductwork.

Choosing the Right Heat Pump

All residential heat pumps must display an efficiency rating for the heat pump’s heating and cooling performance, as compared to other makes and models on the market. Look for the Energy Star label with cooling efficiency (SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 12 or higher and heating efficiency (HSPF, or heating seasonal performance factor) of 7 or higher.

A new HVAC system is a big investment, so you want to make the best choice for your home. For more information on air source heat pumps, contact us at Bradley Mechanical. We have serviced the HVAC needs of homeowners in Richmond and central Virginia since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air source heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Furnace

This unit adds heat to your home. There are several kinds of furnaces classified by the fuel they use. They are comprised of two basic components:

• Heat Exchanger. Heat generated in your furnace is pumped into a grid which stores the heat. This device is the first place combustion occurs in the heating process.
• Furnace Blower. This is the unit in a furnace that blows air over the heat exchanger and circulates the adjusted air throughout your home.

Air Handler

The air handler (AHU) is used in homes with split air conditioning and heat pump systems. The AHU works with an outdoor unit to regulate and circulate air.

Filters

Installed in the AHU, filters regulate air particles keeping both the unit and the air free form debris and pollutants that can damage the unit and impact health.

Ductwork

This is the system that carries the heated or cooler air though the house and delivers it directly into your home through the grilled plates located in the ceiling, walls and floors.

Central Split-system A/Cs and Heat Pump

The split system consists of an outdoor unit and indoor unit. The indoor unit consists of either a furnace or an air handler. The outdoor unit will be either a condensing unit or heat pump.

• Condensing unit. The A/C condensing unit changes refrigerant from a gas to a liquid as it cools, sending the warmth that was absorbed in the refrigerant indoors to the outdoors. The air handler blows air over the cooled refrigerant and cools your home.
• Heat Pump. The heat pump operates in a similar fashion to an A/C, absorbing warmth indoors and exhausting it outdoors in the summer, but the homeowner can reverse the process during the winter and heat the home.

To learn more about how parts of the HVAC system works, contact Bradley Mechanical, serving the Richmond and Central Virginia area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Easy Clogged Drain Fixes

With a few common household items, you may be able to clear up the clogged drain yourself without a plumber’s intervention. Common measures include:

• A toilet plunger to dislodge the clog
• Baking soda and vinegar poured into the drain to dissolve debris
• Commercial drain cleaner
• Handheld drain augers that snake the pipes
• Removing the P-trap below the drain to clear out any collected debris

Bear in mind that commercial drain cleaners are expensive and full of caustic chemicals, so it’s best to try other measures first. Plungers may take several minutes of vigorous plunging to dislodge the clog; you’re dealing with a lot more pipe than in a clogged toilet. Drain augers are available from most home improvement or hardware stores, and are a small hand-cranked version of the auger that plumbers use to clear out larger clogs.

Signs You Need a Plumber

After you’ve tried the easy fixes, watch the drain carefully – is it slower than usual? Is there an unpleasant odor or bubbles as liquid goes down? Does any debris float back up out of the drain? If so, then you may have a bigger problem. These signs may point to a major clog or damage further down in your sewer line. Tree roots can be a big problem in Central Virginia, especially in older homes, as they grow and invade some types of sewer lines. Over time, the line can crack or collapse as well. Your plumber can clean the entire sewer line to the street, as well as make recommendations for repairing any damage.

For more advice on how to deal with clogged drains and other plumbing problems, contact us at Bradley Mechanical. Our expert team has brought top-notch service to Richmond and the surrounding area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about clogged drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Existing duct work
• Insulation
• Size of your home
• Heating requirements
• Budget

Installing a new furnace is a big investment. Before going shopping for a new furnace, you need to consult with a professional HVAC technician. An expert can analyze your home and help you determine your best option. The following are the types that they might suggest.

Single Stage

The single-stage furnace has only one stage of heat output, and that is high. Single- stage furnaces have only two settings, off and on. The constantly put out the maximum amount of heat the system is designed to generate regardless of outdoor temperature or varying temperatures in your home. This can raise your energy bills because while your furnace is on, it is dispersing the maximum amount of energy.

Two Stage

This type of furnace is much more efficient than single-stage furnaces. Most two-stage furnaces operate in the first stage at around 65 percent of full capacity. When it gets really cold outside and the first stage is not enough to keep your home comfortable, the second stage kicks in and provides additional heat. These furnaces provide the right amount of heat for your family while creating less carbon dioxide than single stage furnaces.

Variable Speed

In this case, variable speed does not refer to the number of stages your furnace has. Variable speed actually refers to the fan motor. In these types of furnace, the fan can run at different speeds and control how fast air is dispersed through your home. A more comfortable environment results from better airflow. Even when the furnace is not producing heat, the fan can be left on to circulate air throughout your home.

For more information on shopping for a new furnace in the Richmond area, contact Bradley Mechanical.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about new furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Modern advances in technology have made the use of mercury completely unnecessary for the proper operation of a temperature regulating thermostat. Today’s highly efficient, mercury-free digital and programmable thermostat units can be used by anyone to achieve a greater level of comfort within their home while saving energy and eliminating a primary source of mercury from their home.

Because of its high level of toxicity, exposure to even small amounts of mercury can damage one’s health; since it is an element, mercury does not break down and instead is bioaccumulated in the food chain and within our bodies. People most at risk for mercury poisoning include pregnant woman and their fetuses as well as young children. Since mercury is volatile, the toxic effects can occur anywhere there is a open source of mercury.

Alternative programmable digital thermostats provide a number of benefits and advantages over a thermostat with mercury, including:

• Equivalent or greater levels of temperature control
• Energy savings as a result of your programmable thermostat being able to adjust the temperature of your home any time it will be empty for four hours or more
• Eliminating a significant source of mercury within your home
• Protection of the environment for future generations by replacing outdated and highly polluting products with clean energy saving devices

Due to the high toxicity levels of mercury, appropriate disposal of any mercury containing article is critical to ensure that the mercury contained in thermostats and other products is properly handled and recycled. Check online (http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Land/mdoffinva.pdf) for the availability of mercury recycling containers or contact an HVAC professional for more assistance.

If you are in the Richmond area and would like more information about how to replace your thermostat with mercury with an energy saving programmable digital thermostat, contact the professionals at Bradley Mechanical today!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about upgrading thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Let cold water drip down your faucets a few times per day to prevent the pipes from freezing. Even a slow trickle of water can keep a pipe from freezing on very cold days.
• Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to expose the plumbing below to warm air. It may not seem like it would make a big difference, but a few degrees can make the difference between frozen pipes and ones that work just fine through the winter season.
• Avoid lowering the temperature in your home at night during the coldest parts of the year. A lower temperature when you’re sleeping is fine most of the time, but on the very coldest nights, you can help prevent freezing by keeping your home at the same temperature both day and night. If you won’t be in your home for a prolonged period of time, make sure your programmable thermostat is set no lower than 55-degrees.
• Remove hoses that you store outside to keep water from freezing. Do make sure you still turn outdoor hose bibs so that water won’t freeze on the inside. Do this frequently in the winter months.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes somewhere where they will be better protected. If you can’t relocate them, use UL-listed heat tape to cover them and help avoid frozen pipes on the coldest days of the year.

Contact Bradley Mechanical to learn more about how you can avoid frozen pipes this winter season. We have been serving Richmond and Central Virginia since 1969, and we can’t wait to serve you too.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about frozen pipes and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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