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Show Your Pipes Some Love

2/9/2021

 
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 It’s easy to take for granted the luxury that allows us to flip a handle and have water come pouring out of a faucet or hose. Flushing toilets, showers, washing machines and dishwashers all rely on your plumbing system as well. So, what’s the best way to show your pipes some love?

Inspect for leaks or other signs of damage

Routine maintenance is always at the top of our list. Make it a priority to inspect the pipes in your home a few times a year in order to help prevent many of the most common problems associated with damage. Beginning outside, walk the perimeter of your home to inspect the spigots for signs of leakage or rust. Once indoors, inspect the pipes under sinks, faucets and showerheads. Check the toilets as well.

While performing your own inspection, make sure to check out the hot water heater. This is one appliance that sometimes goes unnoticed until you wake up with no hot water for your morning shower. Look for signs of rust or corrosion. Feel underneath or check with a flashlight for any water. It is best, especially if you have an older water heater, to have one of the professionals at Ballard give it a proper inspection.

Prepare for clogs

Pipes can get clogged quite easily, so preparing for this is another way to show your home some love this year. Make sure to have a plunger on hand for any routine clogs. Be mindful of what goes down the drain to prevent clogs, too. Hair build-up, foreign objects or food that won’t disintegrate in the garbage disposal … even the handiwork of a kid dropping a toy — or worse — down a drain could cause a serious problem. If you find that a clog cannot be handled with a plunger, it’s time to call the professionals at Ballard to service your pipes.

Don’t take for granted the hard work your pipes do all year for you and your family. Perform regular inspections in order to prevent some of the most common problems like leaks and clogs. If you find something that concerns you or have a problem requiring maintenance, the professional at Ballard are more than happy to come and take a look. 

It is our mission to offer our customers high-quality service at affordable prices. Call us at (909) 882-1748! ​

Show Your HVAC System Some Love

2/2/2021

 
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Have you been needing some TLC this winter? You’re not alone. Your home needs it, too! Your HVAC system works hard every day to be the foundation for your family’s indoor comfort. Without proper maintenance, your system can fall short. At Ballard, we want all of our Inland Empire families to be well taken care of. Our team of HVAC professionals is dedicated to making your home the best it can be. Celebrate the month of love this February with the benefits of regular maintenance.

Lengthens the life of your unit
From season to season, your system accumulates wear and tear from everyday life. Regular maintenance addresses minor issues that may be present in your system before they turn into major complications. Our team of trusted technicians will inspect all components for any necessary replacements to ensure maximum efficiency and fewer repairs in the future.

Improves air quality
Investing in the care of your unit is investing in your indoor air quality. Guarantee your family’s health through clean air by maintaining clean air filters. With more time spent indoors, your home’s air filters undergo increased contact with contaminants and allergens. These contaminants and allergens are respiratory irritants that can cause health complications in your loved ones. Show the people you love most that you care, by providing them with clean air!

Decreased utility bills
The less strain that is put on your unit, the better! Avoid any additional labor on your unit through regular maintenance. When your HVAC system receives proper attention, it’s able to perform optimally, resulting in decreased utility expenses. As a bonus, you can expect reliable indoor temperatures throughout the year.

Let us show our appreciation for you by helping you support your home. Regular maintenance with Ballard guarantees a dependable unit that can provide you with higher air quality and lower utility bills. Save the date and schedule your consultation by calling us at (909) 882-1748 today!


How to Seal Air Leaks in Your Home

1/12/2021

 
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At Ballard, we understand the importance of keeping your home warm, and that can include sealing your home. In San Bernardino, Highland and Redlands communities, the weather isn’t always moderate and kind. Even the smallest air leak can greatly disrupt your energy bill and comfort level. Sealing leaks not only aids in maintaining the temperature in your home, but it also reduces heating and cooling costs, too! Step into this new year with renewed comfort and savings by learning how to seal your home.

Locate air leaks
The first step in sealing your home is finding the leaks. Did you know that the hard-to-reach areas are usually the ones with the most leaks? These areas include attics, basements and crawl spaces. Spending a little extra time inspecting these sometimes uncomfortable spaces can save you money on energy bills while improving your air quality. By knowing where your home’s leaks are, you’ll be able to seal and repair them properly.

Windows and doors
Windows are major air-leaking bandits. Older windows become warped over time due to moisture and stop sealing properly. Door and window bottoms are the biggest culprits. If you feel a draft when holding your hand in front of any part of the window or door frame, you need to start sealing. Use weatherstripping or caulk to fix these problem areas. If possible, renew your home with new, properly-sealing windows.

Unexpected spaces
Ductwork, vents, plumbing entrances, and wire pull-through holes are usually overlooked. Apply caulking, foil tape, or foam spray to any crack or hole you find.

Exterior
Inspect the exterior of your home. Check for gaps and cracks in the joints between the siding and the roofline. Thoroughly inspect the chimney’s foundation for sinking and along its height for cracks and deteriorating brick or stone. Ask your Ballard experts for recommendations on safe materials to fix any leaks you find.

Attics
Any jointed area has the possibility of leaking air. As one place we spend little to no time in, unfinished attic spaces are often forgotten but can be a big contributor of leaks. Use foam spray and caulking to seal along attic edges. Apply foam spray specifically to studs, joints, and large cracks to stop airflow.

Sealing your home is a simple task that will keep your loved ones cozy and comfy all year long with the bonus of big cost savings as you may find that thermostat doesn’t need set so high. At Ballard, our top priority is ensuring your indoor comfort this year. Give us a call at (909) 882-1748 for more information!

Low Interest Rates Make Now the Time to Replace Your HVAC System

1/6/2021

 
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​Begin this year renewed and refreshed with a new HVAC system. A new heating and cooling system ensures a year filled with energy efficiency, comfort, and health. Modern equipment is engineered to be dependable no matter the weather. At Ballard, we understand that many Inland Empire families do not have cash available to make a major investment, especially if the expenditure is unexpected. Learn how to get the most out of your financing by securing low interest rates.

Benefits of equipment financing
Major home-improvement projects can put quite the strain on your cash flow, especially as most homeowners don’t budget for an HVAC replacement. Financing helps bridge the gap between available cash and equipment costs, making the purchase less stressful. Perhaps one of the most important benefits of replacing your HVAC system is that it basically pays for itself. The increase in energy savings impacts your overall energy costs greatly. Look forward to an easy application process, low monthly payments, multiple payment options and more when you finance your new HVAC equipment.

Obtaining financing
Most homeowners are able to qualify for some amount of financing for new HVAC equipment. In order to secure optimal interest rates and multiple offers, it’s important to gather important documentation, such as:
●Credit reports: Credit scores play a major role in a lender’s decision to offer financing. The interest rates and amount of financing you receive are directly tied to your credit score.
● Reference letter: Those with minimal or poor credit can establish a pattern of reliability with a letter of reference. References from solid sources such as employers and utility companies can aid in demonstrating responsibility.
● Pay stubs: Proof of income is of utmost importance when obtaining financing. Organize your last three months’ worth of pay stubs for verification. If self-employed, show proof through tax returns or deposit receipts. 

​Replace or repair?

No matter how well your HVAC system is maintained, a replacement will be required at some point. Look for these signs to warn you that your existing system may need to  be replaced:
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  • Your system is passing the 10-year mark
  • Repairing it is costing more than half the cost of a new system
  • Your energy bills keep increasing every month
  • Comfort is not maintained in your home
  • You notice odd smells and sounds
  • Air quality has slipped

​Do any of those send red flags? Then it may be time to update! Save big on a new CARRIER® air conditioning and heating system today!

Replacing your HVAC system is no small task. By knowing how to get the most out of your financing, you’ll be able to renew your home’s comfort level effortlessly. At Ballard, we’re here to help you every step of the way! Call us at (909) 882-1748 for a free estimate on new installations!

Can an Air Conditioner Heat My Home, Too?

12/8/2020

 
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In a temperate climate like the San Bernardino Valley, you might wonder if there are alternative options to heat your home. When truly cold days are few and far between, is it your best option to invest in a furnace? With the help of the expert technicians at Ballard Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, you can discover whether your home may be a good candidate for a heat pump!

How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump works with your home’s central HVAC system to “pump” warm air to wherever it is needed in order to heat or cool your home. On cold winter days, it will extract heat from the air or the ground to keep your family comfortable inside, and during the rest of the year, it will pump the warm air outside to cool down your home.

Is a heat pump efficient?
Rather than generating heat, a heat pump moves the heated air, so it is much more energy efficient than a traditional furnace or other heating equipment. Without the generation of heat, your home will produce fewer CO2 emissions, which improves air pollution. Keeping an energy-efficient home helps to save the environment and also saves you money on utility bills.

How can a heat pump save money?
Although there may be a higher upfront cost, you’ll find that most heat pumps have lower running costs and less maintenance needs overall. A heat pump offers less HVAC machinery to maintain in comparison to a furnace, resulting in less frequent breakdowns and fewer repair bills. Heat pumps are also extremely reliable and can last up to 50 years, compared with the typical 15- to 20-year lifespan of a furnace.

Are there other benefits?
Another benefit to a heat pump is its quiet operation, since it does not require the generation of heat. Along these same lines, you may also find a heat pump to be safer than other heating alternatives as there are no combustible materials required for it to run. Heat pumps also work quickly because they move hot air instead of creating it, so you’ll see fast results when you change the thermostat.

If you live in the San Bernardino Valley and would like to learn more about whether a heat pump could work for your home, contact the experts at Ballard to schedule a consultation at (909) 882-1748. We love to work with our customers to find the best heating and cooling systems to keep you and your family comfortable all year long.

What Are the Benefits of a Furnace Tune-Up?

12/1/2020

 
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The winter holiday season is here, and even in San Bernardino, you’ve probably been turning up the heat on cold nights or cloudy days. As you use your furnace more regularly, you’ll want to keep it running at top efficiency with a tune-up from the experts at Ballard Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Give your family the gift of comfort with a winter furnace tune-up today!

Save money on utility bills
When you schedule a furnace tune-up with a Ballard technician, one of the biggest benefits is the savings you’ll see on your utility bills. A tune-up will keep your unit clean and reduce build-up that could keep it from running as efficiently as possible. And when your furnace has to work harder to heat your home, you’ll see that extra energy usage coming right out of your wallet.

Save the environment with high efficiency

Another major advantage to regular furnace maintenance is the impact you can have on the environment. If your furnace is running as efficiently as it should, it will use less energy resources and, in turn, reduce the number of harmful emissions from power plants. Can you believe that something as simple as a furnace tune-up can actually improve the pollution in the air we breathe each day?

Extend the life of your machinery
Regular maintenance on your home’s HVAC system will keep it running longer and prevent you from purchasing a new unit before it is necessary. If you are spending more time at home this holiday season, you’ll be using your HVAC system more than ever. As a family-owned business in our third generation of service, know that you can trust Ballard to keep your system operating smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible.

Prevent emergency repairs
The last thing anyone wants is an emergency furnace breakdown on a cold winter night or a busted air conditioner on the hottest day of the year. When you schedule regular tune-ups with the experts at Ballard, your equipment will be much less likely to experience a problem. But you can also rest easy knowing that if disaster does strike, an emergency technician from Ballard will be ready to repair your home’s equipment no matter the make or model.

If you want to schedule your seasonal furnace tune-up, contact Ballard today at (909) 882-1748. We are prepared to keep your family safe and comfortable at home all holiday season long.

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