Why You Should Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

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When you cook with oil, grease and fats, it can be tempting to dispose of them by pouring them down the drain or rinsing your pan in the sink directly after cooking. Some people regularly pour their leftover grease into their sink without a second thought or wash out pans with cooking oil and other fats. In reality, pouring grease, oil and other cooking fats down the drain is one of the most common sources of plumbing issues.

Even when people run the hot water in the hopes it’ll take care of any potential issues, grease-caused clogs can still form and have a disastrous impact on your drainage system, pipes and overall sewer system. Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you adopt reliable ways to dispose of grease safely, effectively and without risking clogs or other plumbing complications and provide solutions when you encounter a clog. Continue reading for our comprehensive list of grease disposal do’s and don’ts!

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UV Air Filtration for Your Home

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Americans spend 90% of their time indoors where air pollutants — including mold, dander, chemicals, bacteria, smoke and dust — are two to five times more concentrated than outdoors. Extreme levels of pollutant concentration result from poor or nonexistent ventilation, cleaning agents and inadequately maintained HVAC systems.

Clean air is critical at home and in schools, offices and other buildings. At best, poor air quality can lead to strong odors. At worst, it can irritate asthma and allergy symptoms, cause headaches, fatigue and dizziness, or even spread bacteria and viruses that could lead to or worsen some illnesses. Proper air ventilation is the best way to ensure your indoor air remains clean, safe and enjoyable.

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Why Is There a Burning Smell When I Turn on the Heat? 

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Why Is There a Burning Smell When I Turn on the Heat? 

When winter approaches and the temperatures start dropping, you’ll likely fire up your heating system for the first time in many months. While the feeling of warm air is enjoyable, it’s sometimes accompanied by a burning smell that can be strange or unpleasant. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to call the fire department, but you shouldn’t ignore the smell, either. Some odors are normal, and others are signs of potential danger.

Keep reading to learn about the various smells that can occur, what they mean and whether they require any action.

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Why Are My Electric Bills So High in the Winter

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If you rely on a heat Pump or electric to heat your home, you could be in for a surprise.

Utility costs can soar when the temperature dips, especially for homes whose primary heat source is electric. A typical home’s biggest energy consumer is the HVAC system then followed by the water heater. Compound that with a high cost for electric, heating a home and water can result in a shocking (pun intended) bill during the winter.

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How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?

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Plus steps for making sure the new filter has been installed properly. 

It’s a question we receive all the time, ‘How often should I change my air filter?’, and every homeowner with a forced air system should have a rough idea of how often their air filter should be changed. Unfortunately, it’s not so cut and dry because every home and HVAC system is different. Once you know how to change your air filter, it should be a simple but important task to keep your system running smoothly while providing you with cleaner air. Read more

Why Is Your Upstairs so Hot in the Summer While the Downstairs Stays Cool?

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Reasons for a Hot Second Floor and How to Cool It Down

Temperature differences from the first floor to a second floor can cause significant discomfort in your home. The most common rationale for a warmer second floor is that “heat rises”. Although true, this is far from the main culprit of an uncomfortable upstairs and there is plenty that can be done to even the temperatures in your 2-story home. Don’t wait until summer to correct this issue. If you’re wondering how to keep your upstairs rooms cool, read on.

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Common Causes of Poor Household Air Quality

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When most of us think about air pollution, we usually consider outdoor pollutants like exhaust fumes from combustion engines and smoke from factory smokestacks. Yet it may surprise you to learn that indoor air can be up to 700% dirtier than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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Everything You Ever Wanted or Needed to Know About Hard Water

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Maybe your water is looking a little cloudier than usual. Perhaps you’ve started to see a ring around your bathtub at the waterline or a white buildup on your bathroom fixtures. You might be finding it hard to get your dishes clean. Or, your skin and hair have lost their luster.

All these issues are consequences of having hard water in your home. They can be annoying, as with water-spotted dishes, or they can make you feel uncomfortable, as with itchy, irritated skin. Left untreated, hard water can also cause costly damage to your pipes and appliances.

Fortunately, you can remove hardness from your home’s water, and we’re here to tell you how. Read on to learn more about what hard water is, how it affects your body, clothes, housewares and appliances, and how to get rid of hard water in your home.

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What can a fresh snow tell you about your home’s comfort?

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One improvement that can make a big impact on your energy use all year round.

It’s a beautiful scene after a Central PA snowfall. The trees are glistening and there’s a calmness outside. Of course, you have to get outside to shovel the sidewalk or driveway, and don’t forget to throw some snowballs at the neighborhood kids. But be sure to take a closer look at your house, the snow might give you a clue to your homes comfort.

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What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat to in Winter?

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Winter weather is not far away. As you anticipate seasonal changes and the adjustments made to accommodate them, you might start thinking about putting flannel sheets on your bed, swapping your short-sleeved shirts for sweaters and perhaps treating yourself to a thick robe and a new pair of slippers before the coldest days arrive.

Those changes are all common and valid, but it’s also a good idea to think about setting your thermostat to a different temperature in the winter. Here is some helpful information to guide you through the specifics of taking that step. Read more