How To Choose a Hot Water Heater

Water heaters are what supply your bathtub, shower, washing machine, and sinks with the warm and hot water you need to cook and clean. They also account for roughly 14% of your overall utility bill. Owning an out-of-date water heater (typically one that’s 10+ years old) can result in higher energy costs and consumption. 

When you’re ready to replace your water heater, you’ll likely have a lot of questions. What’s the best model on the market? Do I need an energy-efficient water heater? Do I go tankless or traditional? Who should install my water heater? Here, we’ll help you walk through hot to choose a hot water heater for your Denver area home.

How to Choose a Water Heater

1. Pick a fuel type.

First, determine what type of fuel source you have in your home. Will you be operating you water heater off of gas or electric? Once you know the fuel source, you can easily choose a water heater to fit your needs.

2. Choose storage v. tankless.

Next, you’ll want to choose your type of water heater. Consider your needs before deciding on storage versus tankless. Storage water heaters are traditional models and can range from small to large to fit your needs. Tankless water heaters don’t store hot water; they heat water as it passes through a series of coils. While more energy-efficient, they do take a bit longer and can only be used in one to two rooms at a time. If you have lots of kids that need to shower at once or you need to operate multiple appliances simultaneously, this might not be the option for you.

3. Find the right installation company.

Finding the right installation company is just as important as finding a water heater that meets your needs. A competent installation company will be able to help you find a unit thats energy-efficient and cost saving for your family. Then, they’ll be able to install in with ease to save your time and effort. 

Good Guys Home Services: #1 in Plumbing & HVAC Near Denver, CO

Need plumbing help near Denver, Fort Collins, or Loveland? Before you take care of installing a new water heater alone, call Good Guys Home Services. We are #1 in Denver for plumbing and HVAC services. Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008 or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment

We offer year-round plumbing and HVAC services throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

3 Things You Didn’t Know About Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are similar to a standard air conditioning unit, except they also have the power to heat your home, too. Whether you have a heat pump or not, you might be fascinated to know that these powerful machines have the ability to keep your home comfortable all year long—and can help save you money and converse energy if you choose the right unit. 

3 Fun Facts About Your Heat Pump

Having a heat pump installed in your Denver area home can be ideal for indoor comfort. Having one unit supply your heating and cooling service can also save you time and maintenance. Yet, you may or may not know all that much about your unit. Here, we’ve gathered three fun facts about heat pumps to educate our customers on these powerful machines. 

1. Heat pumps use the same process to heat as they do to cool.

Even during the coldest months of the year in Colorado, your heat pump uses refrigeration to operate. By operating on refrigeration, your heat pump works to remove heat from the air and cool down the inside of your home. During the winter, the process is reversed to bring heat inside, dissipating from the refrigerant in the indoor unit.

2. Its indoor and outdoor components work year-round.

When you turn your thermostat to heat mode, what do you expect to hear? Most of our customers expect silence, but are surprised to find that their heat pump’s outdoor component is still running. This is normal. Your air conditioning is not running at the same time; instead, your outside fan is running to move air past the coil so that it can absorb heat and move it inside.

3. Adding more refrigerant might not do the trick.

If you’re having heating and cooling problems, you might ask: does my heat pump need more refrigerant? The answer is usually no. If your heat pump is experiencing issues, your best bet is to call a service technician to inspect the area for leaks, question why the refrigerant would be low, and determine if there is a bigger issues at play. 

Good Guys Home Services: Heat Pump Repair Near Loveland, CO

Want to keep your home’s heat pump running optimally? Taking preventive action is important. Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Loveland heat pump tune-up professionals. We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician ASAP? Give us a call at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

3 Fall Maintenance Tasks Essential For Energy Efficiency

Crisp fall weather (and brutal Denver winters) are on the way. Is your heat pump or furnace ready? Here are three fall maintenance tasks to take care of now to improve energy efficiency. 

What Should We Do in Fall to Maintain Our Denver Home’s Energy Efficiency

As a homeowner, you are responsible for your own energy consumption—and your own wallet. Here, we’ll discuss three ways you can save money on your utility bills and conserve energy from your HVAC unit this fall. 

Change your air filter. 

The easiest way to lower your heating bill? Change your air filters. Every three months, you should plan to replace your air filters throughout the home. If you don’t turn on your HVAC unit in the summer or you use it less frequently, you should still plan to change the filters before the start of a new season—or when you plan to turn on the heat!

Adjust your ceiling fans. 

Another way to improve energy efficiency is to adjust the direction of your ceiling fans in fall. During winter, all ceiling fans should turn clockwise to disperse heat that has risen. In the summer, all ceiling fans should turn counter-clockwise. This will give your HVAC system a break and keep you more comfortable all winter long. 

Schedule a tune-up. 

It’s also recommended that you schedule a regular tune-up of your HVAC system—whether its a heat pump or a furnace—before you turn it on for the season. Regular maintenance will extend the life of your unit and help keep your repair costs low. Why? Because our technicians will be able to investigate and solve problems with your unit before they become major issues. (This will cost less in the long run—trust us, we’ve run the numbers!). 

Good Guys Home Services: HVAC Repair Near Denver, CO

Want to keep your home’s HVAC system running optimally? Taking preventive action is important. Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Denver HVAC tune-up professionals. We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician ASAP? Give us a call at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

3 Reasons to Invest in Duct Cleaning This Fall

Duct cleaning is something that your HVAC company may recommend every five years or so… but how often do you actually take them up on it? Not very often, right? Well, duct cleaning isn’t just an add-on service—it’s actually a great way to improve your indoor air quality and energy efficiency, while helping to cut electric costs. Don’t believe us? Here are 3 reasons to invest in a duct cleaning service this fall. 

Why Should I Invest in Duct Cleaning This Fall?

1. Prevent fall pests.

Fall brings beautiful leaves, crisp mornings, and hot apple cider…but it also brings along creepy crawlers. Want to keep spiders, cockroaches, and rodents out of your home? Consider a duct cleaning. Pests are attracted to dusty, dark, and dirty areas of the home. Don’t create a breeding ground for them with filthy ducts. 

2. Conserve energy and cut costs.

When your ducts are full of dust, dirt, allergens, and toxins, your system must work harder to produce quality air. Often times, these pollutants are simply left in the air. To reduce toxins, you’ll want to change your air filters every 90 days. Cleaning out your air ducts, however, can help your HVAC system run even more efficiently and help you cut back on energy expenses in the long term.

3. Improve your indoor air quality. 

If you or your family suffers from serious allergies or asthma, duct cleaning is a maintenance task that can save the day. Air ducts, especially in older homes, can harbor dust and mold that trigger asthma attacks. Cleaning them out can help you start fresh. 

Good Guys Home Services: Duct Cleaning Near Denver, CO

Want to improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) this fall? Replace your furnace filter, then contact our team for duct cleaning. Our team of professional HVAC installers can help assess your home’s air quality score and recommend the best systems, and clean out any allergens before the temperatures begin to cool off. Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Denver duct cleaning professionals

We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician? Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

Here’s How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Fall

Ready for cooler, crisp weather and pumpkin spice lattes? Fall is the best season for apple picking, hayrides, and spending time with friends and family before the weather cools down. It’s also a great season to prepare your HVAC for Loveland’s cold winter. Here’s how. 

3 Ways to Prepare Your Loveland HVAC System for Fall

Looking to do some fail maintenance around the house? You can’t forget about your heat pump, furnace, or AC system. HVAC systems require yearly tune-ups and regular care for optimal performance. To make sure your system is running at maximum capacity this fall, do this:

1. Check your air filters

When was the last time you changed the air filters inside your Loveland home? If its been more than 90 days, it’s time to change them. Ideally, air filters should be replaced every three months, depending on use. They keep our pesky allergens, dust, and debris from your home—and they keep your indoor air quality in top shape.

2. Tidy up outdoors

Loving the cooler weather? With lower temperatures coming your way, fall is the perfect time to tidy up your home’s outdoor space. Clean your patio. Mow the grass. And, don’t forget to tidy around the HVAC system too. Check for signs of damage and remove any dirt, leaves, and twigs that have accumulated over the summer.

3. Schedule a tune-up of HVAC service

Fall is also a great time to schedule HVAC maintenance because it’s occurs before you’ll really need to turn on the heat. Scheduling an HVAC service now will help ensure your system is in top shape for the coldest months of the year—and nothing is worse than freezing while waiting on an emergency repairman. 

Good Guys Home Services: HVAC Repair Near Loveland, CO

Want to keep your home’s HVAC system running optimally? Taking preventive action is important. Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Loveland HVAC tune-up professionals. We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician ASAP? Give us a call at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

How to Minimize Asthma Attacks By Improving Indoor Air Quality

Think your home is making your asthma worse? Indoor air quality can have major effects on the health of you and your family. Here’s how to take action to minimize the effects of asthma and improve your overall indoor air quality (IAQ). 

5 Ways to Minimize the Effects of Asthma at Home

1. Keep your air smoke-free and scent-free.

On a positive note, you have a lot of control over your indoor air quality. You, for the most part, determine what you’re breathing inside your home. To avoid excessive asthma attacks, it’s best to keep your home smoke-free and scent-free. This means you’ll want to avoid using asthma triggers like cigarettes, scented candles, perfumes, and cleaning supplies 

2. Clean on a regular schedule.

Want to improve indoor air quality? Clean up. Dust, pet dander, and mold can be major triggers for asthma attacks. Thankfully, they’re also easily neutralized by keeping things clean and tidy. Vacuum regularly and dust the furniture. Wiping down ceiling fans can also be a quick fix for excess dust. Having a really hard time with the allergens in your home? Consider replacing carpets (and other allergen-trapping fibers) with hard, easy-to-clean surfaces. 

3. Install a dehumidifier. 

Is your bathroom rather humid after a hot shower? Think you might be experiencing mold growth that’s causing your asthma attacks? Installing a dehumidifier can help you manage your home’s humidity levels associated with discomfort and mold.

4. Use a HEPA filter. 

Changing your air filter out on a recommended schedule is the first step to reducing allergens in your home. If you need additional comfort, consider installing a HEPA filter instead of a traditional one to trap more allergens. You can find these in your local hardware store or wherever you shop for home improvement goods. 

5. Consider a duct cleaning. 

Duct cleaning is a maintenance task anyone who suffers from asthma should take seriously. Air ducts, especially in older homes, can harbor dust and mold that trigger asthma attacks and make you feel miserable. Scheduling a duct cleaning with your local HVAC company will help you breathe easier knowing there’s minimal containmentants living in your ductwork.

Good Guys Home Services: #1 for Indoor Air Quality Near Denver, CO

Want to improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) today? Replace your furnace filter, then contact our team. Our team of professional HVAC installers can help assess your home’s air quality score and recommend the best systems for your unique case. Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Denver indoor air quality professionals

We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician? Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

3 Main Causes of Heat Pump Failure

When you have a heat pump issue, you don’t want to wait around on a solution—you want it fixed as fast as possible. If you’re having issues with your heat pump near Denver, you’ll want to identify the problem first. Here are three main heat pump problems that can lead to failure. 

Common Heat Pump Problems That Can Lead to Failure

Are you having issues with your heat pump? Looking for a quick fix? Here, we’ll discuss three common heat pump issues that can lead to system failure if left unattended—and how to fix it.

1. Heat pump is blowing cold air.

Returning home from a cold winter day to a warm house is a dream…until your heat pump is blowing cold air. If that’s the case, one of the following could be happening: 

  • Your heat pump is defrosting.
  • Your body is too cold and tricking you. 
  • You have a serious issue and need to call a repair service ASAP.

In the winter, a heat pump can go into defrost mode to melt any ice or snow that’s accumulated on the coils—if it’s snowing outside, this could be your answer. Don’t panic—your heat pump will return to normal operation on its own. If its really cold outside, the same can be said for your body. Heat pumps can deliver warm air around 85-95 degrees, which is cooler than your body temperature. If you’ve just come in from the snow, give yourself time to adjust. If you can safely rule out these two things, call an HVAC professional.  

2. Heat pump won’t turn on. 

If your heat pump won’t turn on, it’s most likely an electrical failure. Before calling a professional about HVAC failure, make sure the thermostat is set to heat, check the power switch to the heat pump, and reset any breakers. If the heat pump is still inactive, you might need professional assistance. 

3. Heat pump is running continuously

If you have the opposite problem—a heat pump that cycles continuously—you may also need professional help. Notice a different temperature or find yourself uncomfortable? Call an HVAC technician. Notice that it’s continuously running, but don’t notice a change in temperature? You’re good—heat pumps are created to run constantly with minimal cycles to provide optimal comfort. To control this yourself, always make sure you change out dirty air filters and set your fan to AUTO

Schedule Regular Heat Pump Maintenance and Repair with Good Guys Home Services Near Fort Collins, CO

When you choose Good Guys Home Services near Fort Collins, CO, you won’t have to fret about your heat pump performance ever again. We are here to help with all of your heating needs throughout the coldest months and beyond. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician? Give us a call at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC and furnace services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

How to Protect your HVAC System Before a Storm

Protecting your HVAC system from August hurricanes and strong gusts of wind can save you majorly on home repairs. Even if you have excellent homeowner’s insurance coverage, you’ll want to take steps to ensure the safety of all of your appliances. Preemptive steps will help you avoid the headaches of filing a claim and keep rates low—here’s how to protect your HVAC system this summer and fall.

4 Ways to Protect your HVAC System Before a Storm

1. Invest in surge protectors. 

With any major storm, you run the risk of experiencing power outages—and this includes losing power to your HVAC unit. To avoid any electricity surges that can fry your appliances, consider investing in whole-house surge protectors for your appliances and devices. Installing a surge protector for your HVAC unit specifically is also a good idea and can ensure 24/7 protection. 

2. Label your circuit breakers. 

When you experience a power surge, you might have to run over to the breaker box to restart everything…except, you aren’t sure what lever turns on what appliance or set of lights. To avoid HVAC and other major appliance failure, label the breakers and turn them off when severe weather warnings have been issued. Make sure all family members know what to do when a storm is about to strike. 

3. Remove excess shrubbery and trees. 

Is your HVAC system outdoors? You must also consider your outdoor landscaping. Keep trees and shrubbery cut back away from the HVAC system. Severe storms and winds may cause close limbs and branches to fall on the unit and cause problems. 

4. Tie down your condenser. 

It’s also recommended to tie down your outdoor condenser to avoid any issues with weather. Strong winds can topple your condenser and leave you in a lerch, If your condenser is not tied down, ask your HVAC service technician if they can secure it to its slab during your next maintenance visit. 

Good Guys Home Services: HVAC Repair Near Loveland, CO

Want to keep your home’s HVAC system running optimally? Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Loveland AC repair professionals. We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC repair or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician ASAP? Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

4 Professional Drain Cleaning Tips for New Homeowners

Getting the keys to your new home near Denver is one of the best feelings. You finally own something of major value—and you’ve even got that new homeowner glow. Everything is going swell…until it’s not. At some point, every new homeowner will face their first plumbing incident or issue.  Today, we’re focused on the smallest problem: drain cleaning. 

4 Tips for Drain Cleaning in Your New Home

Have a clogged drain in your new home? Before you panic, consider some quick and easy solutions for unclogging your drain. Here are 4 of our professional drain cleaning tips for the new homeowner.

1. Use boiling water.

Looking for a simple at-home remedy for a clogged sink or bathroom drain? Boiling water. Simply boil a pot of water on the stove or use a tea kettle. Once the water reached a bubbling temperature, pour it directly down the drain. This simple solution should cut through even the toughest clogs, like fat and grease.

2. Avoid harsh chemicals.

What’s one new homeowner mistake? Thinking harsh store-bought drain cleaners are the way to go. When you were renting an apartment, you may have settled for this easy option, but you didn’t have to deal with the aftermath. Harsh chemicals can eat away at pipes and cause unnecessary plumbing damage down the line.

3. Try a drain snake.

Gross, but effective, drain snakes can be a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch. Whether it’s a long, slender piece of plastic or more like a fishing rod, these devices can help you retrieve hair strands and hefty clogs from the darkest places.

4. Call in the professionals.

Think your probably could be more sinister than a simple clogged pipe? Is the clog too stubborn to get out yourself? Calling in a professional plumber isn’t a sign of giving up. It’s called being resourceful. If you’re located near Denver, Colorado, the team at Good Guys Home Services can give you a hand—contact us today!

Good Guys Home Services: #1 in Plumbing & HVAC Near Denver, CO

Need plumbing help near Denver, Fort Collins, or Loveland? Simply don’t have time to clean out the bathroom drains? You might turn to quick chemical products promising cleared drains in seconds. But some things can have potentially negative impacts on your home’s plumbing.

Before you take care of a drain issue yourself (and potentially damage your drains or pipes in the process), call Good Guys Home Services. We are #1 in Denver for plumbing and HVAC. Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008 or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment

We offer year-round plumbing and HVAC services throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

Why You Should Always Choose a Licensed HVAC Company

When your HVAC system breaks, you might be tempted to call up Uncle Joe or a neighbor down the street to offer assistance. Or, you might take the cheapest quote offered to you by an “HVAC company”. While it could save you a quick buck right now, it’s a risky move for any homeowner. 

Before you find anyone to fix your AC, furnace, or heat pump, make sure they are a licensed HVAC professional. Here’s why. 

Why You Should Choose a Licensed HVAC Professional

When choosing a professional to repair your heating and cooling system, you’ll want a licensed and insured individual or company. Why? You should choose a licensed HVAC professional: 

…to protect yourself.

Let’s say your Loveland neighbor does the work for you, or you hire a cheap HVAC contractor that hasn’t been licensed in years. If they do a poor job repairing your unit, you could be setting your system up for failure. From an efficiency standpoint, licensed HVAC professionals are properly trained on how to install and repair systems to run optimally. When you hire an unlicensed technician, you could be gambling away your home comfort. 

Also, unlicensed HVAC contractors don’t usually have insurance. When you choose a licensed professional and the work is still done improperly, you’ll be protected. Before hiring anyone, always ask about insurance policies and to see licensed numbers. Reputable contractors will be able to produce both without much hassle. 

…to save money.

While the upfront cost of hiring a more established HVAC contractor can be high, it’s worth it in the long-term. Poor HVAC installation and repair services can leave you with an inefficient machine that will secretly drain your wallet through energy costs. Plus, excessive energy use and frequent repairs can shorten your system’s lifespan—meaning you’ll be out thousands of dollars for a new HVAC system much more quickly. 

Good Guys Home Services: HVAC Repair Near Loveland, CO

Want to keep your home’s HVAC system running optimally? Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Loveland AC repair professionals. We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC repair or learn more about our HVAC services. Want to chat with a technician ASAP? Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.