Green Energy

The "Green" Energy Questions Homeowners Have

Learn About Green Energy, Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is a fun and traditional holiday filled with vibrant green colors and pinching. Homeowners ready to celebrate this big day should be just as excited to participate in 'green' appliances, renewable energy, green and clean energy, and alternative energy sources!

The 'green' that residents can earn on this holiday is money! What homeowner doesn't want to conserve energy and save money on their home? Instead of pinching families, homeowners will be pinching their savings in excitement.

What Are Common Types of Renewable Energy?renewable energy

Renewable energy sources are becoming more popular, and it is understandable why! They can save homeowners hundreds of dollars each year and are a long-term investment worth the risk.

Green energy comes in many forms, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. However, the most commonly used sustainable energy sources are solar, wind, and hydroelectric.

Solar energy works by charging a small or large battery with the sunlight. This energy is clean and can be stored for long periods. It is still being researched and developed today, but residents will be an improvement with each year! 

Wind energy utilizes wind turbines. This is only suitable for residents living in windy states and cities. The wind pushes the turbines, which then power a generator that one can use to power even more things! Hydroelectric energy is just as interesting since it uses the rush of water to push motors to create an energy source!

benefitsWhat Are the Benefits of Green and Clean Energy?

There are so many benefits to using green and clean energy that, surprisingly, not all homeowners are taking advantage of this clean energy! For example, there are monetary incentives. The government in some states will provide funding to families looking to use solar or wind energy in their homes.

Also, since the electricity comes from sustainable and natural resources, the cost is really low! Homeowners don't have to be afraid of large energy bills. Instead, one can likely cut the bills in half!

What Is the Best Kind of Alternative Energy?

Usually, residents use solar energy! However, it is important to understand that every family and household is different. Not everyone lives in a sunny area with enough warmth and sunlight to power a solar-powered battery.

Solar power is better for those living in warm states and cities where sunshine beats the cloudy overcast sky! Wind power is best in areas with more wind. These tend to be the midwestern states! The hard thing about wind power is how large the turbines have to work. It takes more energy and installation to make this type of energy plausible. There are also more states and research that uses solar energy.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Electricians servicing the Sun Prairie area with the family-owned and local Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning provide financing options and high-quality work to various clients. HVAC and electrical mean a lot to this company, and they are not afraid to go above and beyond. Residents should call them soon to schedule an electrical 'green' appointment!

Cardinal plumber

Here's How Local Plumbers Help Homeowners Conserve Water for Earth Day

Professional Plumbing Services That Save Water

When it comes to professional plumbing services, homeowners hardly ever think about looking to professionals when they are trying to conserve more water. However, professional plumbers can give homeowners the tips they are looking for to save water this Earth Day. Homeowners really can't go wrong, and the best part is that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to have any of the services done. Below are three things that homeowners can try this Earth Day to help them conserve a little more water and money!

Plumbing Inspections Have Plenty of Benefits 

When a plumbing system hasn't been inspected in a while, there's no way of knowing how efficient it is. This can make it even harder to predict when clogging or more severe problems will occur. The plumbing system is something that homeowners should have regularly inspected because water damage to the home is nothing to mess around with. 

Here are a few benefits of regular plumbing inspections: 

  • A more efficient system: A plumbing system that works efficiently throughout its life is a plumbing system that lives longer than the average system. 
  • Reduced need for repairs: When the system works efficiently, there are fewer problems that occur, which also means fewer repairs. 
  • Saves Money: It might seem contradictory, but spending money on regular plumbing inspections can save homeowners money in the end, namely, because of the two above-stated benefits. 

With benefits like these, how could one not want to get regular plumbing inspections? Homeowners and those living in the household rely on indoor plumbing every single day. It is arguably the most used system within the home. It is important to take care of it!

leak Water Leak Detection and Repair

Another great service that helps homeowners conserve more water is water leak detection and repair services. This is something that can be done when the professional plumber does the usual plumbing inspection. Professionals recommend that homeowners go ahead and have water leak detection done during their inspections because this is the only way to know the plumbing system's exact state. 

Some companies will even mention the service when a plumbing inspection is booked.

Essentially, the professionals place a video camera in the pipes of the plumbing system. The camera records as it moves throughout the system. If the plumber sees something that resembles a leak, he will slow down the camera to get a better look. 

Many people believe that if there is a leak in their plumbing system, they will know right away because it will leak into the home. This isn't necessarily true. The leak could be somewhere that isn't easily visible, which means the homeowner wastes water and money without even knowing it! Water leak detection gets rid of this issue entirely. 

Consider Upgrading the Toilet

toilet

The toilet is something that gets used more often than any other fixture in the home. This is especially true for multiple people living in one home and sharing one toilet. In this circumstance, it is often better to have the toilet replaced sooner than the average toilet. 

Common toilet repairs that homeowners usually need are because the toilet won't stop running or is leaking out of the bottom. Either way, this wastes a lot of water and can cause damages to the flooring of the home. A simple toilet repair can help the homeowner save water and also save their toilet. However, sometimes, a replacement is necessary. 

That is why it is important to always have a professional inspect the plumbing system and ensure all fixtures, including the toilets, are working properly. 

Keep the Home Efficient With Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning is the Sun Prairie, WI professional plumbing company that keeps residents safe and efficient all year round. They always promise to provide fast, clean, and professional services at a fair price. They even offer coupons for those interested! Call to schedule plumbing service today!

Cardinal Fuse box guide

A Homeowner's Guide to Fuse Box Care

An Inside Guide on Fuse Box Maintenance and Care

Fuse boxes are a common part of many older homes, even though they have been falling out of favor. One of the first things many homeowners learn is how to identify and change a blown fuse, but most do not know the risks that having an older fuse box may pose.

Learning all about fuse boxes, including how to remove and fix them, as well as when a circuit panel upgrade is recommended is an important part of keeping both the home and everyone living in it as safe as possible.

How to Remove a Fuse Box

how to removeWhile there aren’t many steps to removing a fuse box from a house, it is a job best left up to professional electricians. Even in the best of circumstances, it is an electrocution risk, especially for homeowners who haven’t done it before.

Before even beginning to remove the fuse box, the power to the home will need to be shut off entirely. In some areas, a special permit and approval will be needed before it can be replaced.

The electrician will then start by removing the lid of the fuse box. After that, they will begin removing all of the fuses separately. The wires will be unhooked before unscrewing the fuse box from the wall and removing it entirely. Once this is done, it can be repaired or even replaced.

How to Fix a Fuse Box

While it is important to hire a professional to remove a fuse box, it is even more important to hire one to fix one. There are a lot of different reasons that fuse boxes can stop working, and all of them require professional assistance to diagnose and fix.

One of the most common fuse box issues is actually a blown fuse. Many homeowners are aware of how to identify, reset, or even change a single blown fuse, but if it continues to happen regularly it is likely a large fuse box problem that will need to be addressed.

how to fix

Older fuse boxes will also frequently have problems with the wiring. Wiring will eventually start to degrade simply due to age, which makes the entire fuse box a large fire hazard. While an electrician can replace the wires and fix things temporarily, replacing the entire fuse box is a much better, and safer, option.

How to Upgrade a Fuse Box and Why It’s Important

upgrading a fuse boxSince a fuse box is an older system, upgrading it to something more modern is often a great idea. Upgrading a fuse box isn’t difficult, but it is potentially dangerous, thus the reason the power supply should always be shut off first.

If the home has an older fuse box that needs to be upgraded, the safest option is to contact a licensed and experienced electrician. In many places, fuse boxes are actually required to be upgraded to a circuit breaker due to the dangers of having an older box in the home.

Circuit breakers often have an internal mechanism that recognizes the signs of an overheating wire or component and can shut the system down itself, where fuse boxes do not.

This means that fuse boxes are far more likely to overheat and melt, causing an electrical fire risk. Contact an electrician today to evaluate the fuse box and suggest any recommended upgrades.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin community since 1984. They not only provide HVAC services like replacements and repairs, but they also offer various plumbing, air quality, and electrical services as well. Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning are full-service contractors ready to keep your home safe and reliable.