If you’re considering dumping your gym and working out at home, you’re part of a growing movement. With the explosion of online fitness platforms, streaming workouts, remote coaching, professional-quality home gym equipment, exercise apps and wearable technology, a home gym makes getting into shape and staying in shape easier than ever. Whether you’re planning on creating the perfect space for yoga, barre, Pilates, weight lifting, treadmill running or a fancy connected exerci

According to Energy Star, approximately 45% of a typical home’s energy consumption is relegated to heating and cooling - roughly $2,100 to $2,500 per annum. Not exactly chump change. Suffice to say, some of that energy, in the form of hot or cold air, gets lost in the cracks, literally. That is, tempered air escapes through gaps around door jambs and window sills, via roofs and floors, heating or cooling unoccupied areas, etc. There’s no shortage of ways for air to escape, an

For most of us, whenever we feel even the slightest tinge of temperature discomfort, like automatons we seem pre-programmed to reach for the thermostat and dial-in quick relief. This shouldn’t be our default tactic in warding off the winter chills. There are easier and cheaper means of keeping cozy, rather than throttling the furnace, while Jack Frost is up to his dastardly deeds. In terms of winter home comfort, a furnace is the go-to weapon in your arsenal for warmth, preve

Sleigh bells are ringing, Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, and you are freezing your behind off! Unless you’re literally sitting in a snowbank, this means the heater ain’t working. So, after you put on a couple extra sweaters, but before you call the HVAC professional, there is a host of usual suspects to check off the list of probable malfunction causes. Troubleshooting and fixing some common problems regarding the furnace is not out of the realm of possibility; it’s not

Take a second and mentally fast-forward to that first prolonged cold front that will arrive in your area. It’s inevitable. And it’s not far off. This is the exact moment when you DO NOT want your heating system to quit. Realistically, however, this exact scenario is what prompts the most calls to HVAC techs come winter. That first cold snap. Due to the constant output required by your heater to ward off the freezing temps the risk of a breakdown increases. This is especially

Imagine if every light bulb within your home was operated using only one switch. This might be a nice scenario when it’s bedtime, but during the evening it would be impractical and play out as a giant waste of electricity with every bulb illuminated. This “one switch” example is a metaphor that gets bandied about by HVAC professionals when differentiating between central and zoned HVAC systems. Central A.C. is the all-lights-on approach, whereas a zoned system is the procedur

You’re probably familiar with the old adage, “if you take care of your tools, they’ll take care of you.” Well, the same can be said for your HVAC system - a little TLC in the form of intermittent check-ups and preventative maintenance can ensure a comfortable home for upwards of 20 years. Preventative maintenance is beneficial because a small problem can be quelled before it morphs into a major quagmire, potentially doing irreparable harm to the unit while putting a hurt on y

Separating fact from fiction when it comes to home utility consumption can be so mind-boggling that the subject is fit to give an aspirin a headache. Myth versus reality. For instance, will closing your vents reduce the heating bill? (No.) Even though the DVD player is turned off does it still consume power? (Yes.) Is it beneficial to run the air conditioner all day, even when nobody’s home? (Mostly no.) There are a lot of misconceptions regarding the last question that get b