About Rick Welter

Spring has arrived, and so have warmer temperatures. As the weather warms up, you’ve already started to hang your coats back in closets, throw boots into baskets, and dump scarves back in storage. You no longer need layers to keep you warm—and your furnace no longer needs to keep the heat pumping throughout your home.

One important task that many homeowners overlook is properly shutting down their gas furnace for the off-season. Not only can this simple process save you money on energy bills, but it also helps maintain your heating system’s efficiency and longevity.
Whether you’re a new homeowner or simply looking for the correct procedure, this guide will walk you through the safe and proper steps to turn off your gas furnace until you need it again.
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Have you noticed how the atmosphere in your house changes in the winter months? Maybe you find dry and itchy spots on your skin, or cracks in your wooden floors or furniture. You might even wake up with a sore throat or bloody nose in the morning.

All of these symptoms—both to your body and your stuff—are a result of dry indoor air. The cold air outside, with moisture locked in a frozen state, doesn’t help. Inside, your HVAC is toasting the air before it circulates, keeping it warm but overly dry.

Low humidity can even make air feel colder than it actually is, causing you to overcompensate with the thermostat and run up your heating bill.

Let’s look at some simple and some more involved methods for adding a little humidity back into your house this winter. Read more ›

Have you ever sat on your living room couch and watched dust motes dance in a beam of light? It’s a beautiful sight.

Until you think about all that dust settling on your knick-knacks, carpets and furniture… and even getting into your eyes, nose and lungs.

A small amount of dust in your home is inevitable, of course. As the saying goes, from dust we come and to dust we shall return (and in the meantime, we will have dust bunnies under our couches). But there are some easy steps you can take to improve the air quality in your home.

Here’s what you need to know about getting rid of dust in the air. Read more ›

A garage is one of your home’s truly multi-functional spaces. It can be a workshop, a laundry room, a home gym, a dance studio, a storage unit… or you could even do something bizarre like park a car in there.

However, as useful as garages can be, they’re not the most controlled environment in your home. Frequently garages aren’t connected to the main HVAC system, which means they’re subject to temperature fluctuations, stale air and excess humidity. 

If you smell that tell-tale, nostril-tickling odor of mold or mildew in your garage, it’s time to take decisive action.

Here’s a quick guide to garage dehumidification, including easy fixes and some more substantial long-term solutions. Read more ›

After servicing home heating and cooling systems for over a century, we’re well aware that air conditioning doesn’t come as a standard creature comfort for most old homes. 

In fact, of all homes built before 1940, only 50% have a central duct system. If your home has radiators for heat, or an old octopus furnace, overhauling your home for central air may seem impossible. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with ceiling fans and ice packs. 

There are affordable air conditioning options for older homes. To help you find a solution that’s right for your home—and your budget—here’s a breakdown of the three best ways to keep your vintage home cool and comfy.  Read more ›