By justin8 July 20, 2014
Thanks for the help with my well pump, it's not fun being out of water! I'll definitely call you when it's time to replace my air conditioner. ...read more
By lohmaned July 24, 2012
Had an a/c problem and called Climate Control in Linville. They replaced one part and left. Didn't work. Called back, replaced the main component (compressor) and left. Didn't work. Called back. Said we had a freon leak and needed a new ac after being charged for parts and labor for all of the above and the new ac would take at least 4 days. Multiple times the tech said that they/he "dropped the ball" and the other tech "wasn't too bright" Needless to say, we went with a new company (North Mountain HVAC) who installed our ac the next day for the same "discounted" rate offered by the climate controll owner. Emailed the owner, no response. Called 3 times and he had his office manager call me to say he wouldn't talk to me. Called Trane and was told officially that the company pulled his dealer contract 3 years ago. ...read more
By stu6794 at Citysearch February 25, 2012
These people are EXTREME ripoffs. I asked them to come out and install a water heater, change out the washing machine faucets, change out an outdoor faucet and "tidy" up some minor plumbing in the basement. They sent out 4 guys to do the work of one or two!! Then they charged me outrageous prices for EVERY single piece of material that they used! From every coupling and screw to flux, solder and caulk. Are you kidding me? Flux, solder and caulk!! Thats like having a carpenter charge me for every nail, screw and inch of glue that they used! They also charged me for a "truck expense." In fact they charged me that TWICE, what the heck is a "truck expense" and why should I get charged twice?? The biggest insult though occured when the bill arrived....over $2,500!!! For a couple of hours work that could have been done by 2 guys. Unbelievable....and when I called them on it all I got was a run around and double speak. I've never been so angry over blatant greed and abuse. This company needs to be put out of business. After reading other reviews on other sites I understand now that my experience wasn't an isolated one. Sadly on this site I can't give an honest star rating because it makes me give them at least one star....they don't deserve it though. ...read more
Understanding how your HVAC system works will help you understand the necessity for regular maintenance. The entire system must be maintained in order for you to receive the full benefits of clean, healthy air and lower utility bills. There are three primary components that work together in your HVAC system. The Indoor Unit and Thermostat For cooling, the indoor unit draws in room air through the filter. The air is passed over the coils, which are filled with super-cooled refrigerant. The heat from the air is drawn into the refrigerant; the temperature difference causes condensation of the moisture in the air. The water drips off the coils into the drain pan and then the drain pump moves the water outside via the drain tube. The cooled air is blown into the ducting system to the rooms in the house. For heating, the unit draws air in through the same filter. The air is passed over the coils for dehumidification, but it is not cooled. The air then passes into a chamber for heating by an electric heating element or gas flame. The heated air is then delivered to the house through the ducting system. The thermostat tells the unit when to cycle on and deliver cooled or heated air. A mercury-switch thermostat is highly inefficient and unreliable; digital models will maintain the indoor temperature and save money on cooling costs. A digital model will pay for itself in energy savings quickly. The Outdoor Unit The refrigerant that is sent to the indoor unit is stored in the outside unit. The warmed refrigerant returns to the outdoor unit’s condenser coils. A fan, similar to that found in a car’s engine, cools the refrigerant by blowing air on it. The aluminum fins allow maximum airflow and heat transfer to the outside air. The unit also houses the motor for the fan and the refrigerant pump. The unit needs free airflow to the fan, motor and coils to operate efficiently. The Duct System Provides Ventilation The cooled air travels through the ducts into each room through vents or registers. Ducts allow the system to remove indoor air that would otherwise become stale. Odors from pets, cooking, smoke and other airborne contaminants are removed through the system to the outside. The system is integral for maintaining indoor air quality, humidity, heating and cooling levels. ...read more
By Solutions Mechanical & Plumbing - Harrisonburg July 20, 2014
I can almost guarantee that we have never heard this from a customer: "I can't stand how high the water pressure is in my house. It's like showering under a fire hose. I can't handle the pressure!" Most people want as much water pressure as their faucets will put out. A good number of people feel like they don't have enough water pressure to begin with. So, why on Earth would anyone want to install a pressure reducing valve in their home? Here are a couple of reasons that might encourage you to consider a PRV: Appliances If you have ever replaced an appliance in your home whether it be your water heater, dishwasher, or water softener, you probably know that it ain't cheap. I've been saving for months to buy the perfect dishwasher for my house. If I am going to invest that kind of money into my home, I want to do everything I can to protect that investment. If the water pressure in my home is too high, that pressure puts undo stress on my brand spankin' new dishwasher. The life of that appliance will diminish exponentially depending on how high the pressure is. The same thing goes for all appliances that are connected to a water line. I see people all the time that really value the high end appliances. I for one would have some serious heartburn if I spent thousands of dollars remodeling my kitchen only to find that the pressure in my home is diminishing the value of that remodel. Fixtures Believe me, I get it. Nobody wants to shower under a trickling faucet. The trick is to find the right balance between your water pressure and your wallet. Reducing high water pressure should extend the life of your fixtures. I'm not saying that you need to suffer through a shower like it is being poured out of a garden watering can. You can have a comfortable water pressure that your fixtures can handle. Besides reducing the harmful effects of high pressure, you could also save some water. And who wouldn't want to save a little water and make the world a better place to live? Supply Lines Here locally, the city is hooking some neighborhoods up to a new water main that will increase their water pressure from 40 psi to upward of 110 psi. If you have ever been watering the lawn and folded over the hose, building up a ton of water pressure and then let go of the crimp and sprayed your husband in the face, you can imagine what the new water pressure could do to the supply lines in these homes. If you can't relate to that example, let me ask if you know what one of the most common causes of catastrophic water damage in homes could be? You guessed it - burst washing machine hoses. A lot of people have the rubber washing machine hoses that you can pick up at any DIY store. Now think back to my example above and imagine that pressure rushing through to your washing machine. High pressure water plus rubber washing machine hoses equals a disaster just waiting to happen. You may as well start building your ark now. Most people think they know whether their water pressure is too high, too low, or just right. It isn't a bad idea to have a licensed plumber check it out and give you the peace of mind to know that you are doing everything you can to protect your home and everything in it. And for those envious souls that are on the low end of the pressure test, there may be options for you too. ...read more
By Solutions Mechanical & Plumbing - Harrisonburg May 26, 2014
Well it's that time of year again, birds are singing, BBQ grills are being fired up...and of course cars are being washed from their winter grime or gardens are being watered. If you finally removed all the snow, only to find out that your hose had never been disconnected from your water hydrant then be wary when you first turn it on!! The design of today's water hydrants allow for the water to drain out of it when it is turned off, to protect it from freezing. If your hose has been connected all this time, then the water has no place to drain, and could very well freeze and burst the outgoing pipe on your hydrant. Unfortunately this is not noticeable until the hydrant is actually turned on, which could mean at best you change your clothes, at worst you could get some water in your basement! So when first turning it on inspect, listen and call us if you have a problem...although we don't wash cars. ...read more
By Solutions Mechanical & Plumbing - Harrisonburg May 26, 2014
Many people have baseboard or wall heaters that are used as primary heat sources or as add-ons for heat in certain rooms of their homes. They are both economical and very easy to use. Should one become damaged or just go out you can repair it yourself with little or no effort without having to replace... ...read more
Many people at some point in their lives have used a humidifier, but many people do not have whole house humidifiers. Whole house humidifiers are used to regulate the moisture in the air for a number of reasons. For people with respiratory problems, for example, a humidifier can make all the differenc... ...read more
